-enough to excite a nervous, irritable fellow
like you. Did you hear me come into your room last night?"

Taken by surprise, I gave an involuntary start, but regained my
presence of mind in a moment. "Did you suspect, sir, that I was in the
habit of leaving the house at night, that you thought it necessary to
ascertain that I was in my bed?"

"Petulant boy! How ready you are to take offence at trifles. How do you
expect to steer your way through the world? Business brought me into
your room last night. Some papers belonging to the woman, whom your
fertile imagination has converted into a witch or fiend, were in the
iron chest. Anxious to satisfy her that the papers were safe, I went to
look for them. You were making a sad noise in your sleep. I was half
inclined to waken you, but thought that my presence in your chamber at
that hour of the night would only increase your uneasiness. The sound
of my steps in the passage, I have no doubt, was the immediate cause of
your dream."

This was a masterly stroke, and those who knew Robert Moncton in a
moment would recognize the man. The adroitness with which he mingled
truth with falsehood, almost made me doubt the evidence of my senses,
and to fancy that the events of the past night were a mental delusion.

"Did you find the papers you wanted, Sir?"

His eye flashed, and his lip curled. "What business is that of yours,
Sir? I don't allow an impertinent boy to pry into my private affairs."

"My question was one of idle curiosity."

"Even as such, never dare to repeat it."

I was struck dumb, and concluded my breakfast without speaking to him
again. When the tea equipage was removed, I rose to leave the room, but
he motioned me to remain.

His anger had passed away, and his really handsome face wore a more
agreeable expression than usual.

"Sit down, Geoffrey. I have long wished to converse with you upon your
future prospects. What progress have you made in your profession?"

Astonished at his condescension, I told him candidly how I had of late
improved my time, and studied late and early to acquire a competent
knowledge of it in all its branches.

He was surprised, and appeared agreeably so.

"I had no idea of this, Geoffrey. Your industry has won for you a
higher position than an office drudge. You cannot, however, make an
able lawyer, without some knowledge of the world. To make a man of you
it is absolutely necessary for you to go more into society."

"You fo