our is certainly not among your failings," said Mr.
Moncton, with a slight curl of his proud lip. "You have studied the law
long enough to know the impolicy of such conduct."

"I judge, not from fair words but deeds. Sir, the change in your
behaviour to me is too sudden for me to believe it genuine."

"Strange," mused Mr. Moncton, "so young and so suspicious!" then
turning to me, he said, without the least appearance of resentment at
my violence,

"Geoffrey, I know your faulty temper, and forgive you for using such
insulting language. The communication I have just made was enough to
irritate your sensitive nature and mortify your pride; but it is not
reasonable that your anger should be directed against me. I considered
it absolutely necessary, to apprise you of these important facts, and
conveyed the knowledge of them to you, as gently as I could, just to
show you that you must depend upon your own exertions to advance your
position in society."

"If your statement be true, what have I to do with society?" said I.
"What position could I obtain in a world which already regards me as an
outcast?"

"Not here, perhaps. But there are other countries, where the
conventional rules which govern society in this, are regarded with
indifference--_America_, for instance."

He fixed his keen eye upon me. An electric flash passed into my mind. I
saw his drift. I recollected Harrison's advice that the only way to
obtain my rights and baffle my uncle's cunning, was _non-resistance_.
I formed my plans in a moment, and determined to foil his schemes, by
appearing to countenance them, until I could arrive at the truth, and
fathom his designs--and I answered with composure.

"Perhaps, I have done you injustice, Sir. The distracted state of my
mind must be my excuse. I will try and submit with patience to my hard
fate."

"It is your only wise course. Hark you, Geoffrey! I am rich, trust in
me, and the world shall never sneer at you as a _poor relation_. Those
whom Robert Moncton takes by the hand may laugh at doubtful birth and
want of fortune."

The scoundrel! how I longed to knock him down, but that would have done
me no good, so I mastered my indignation and withdrew.

CHAPTER XII.

I FORFEIT MY INDEPENDENCE.

"Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves," was the advice of the
Divine Lawgiver, when he sent his disciples forth on their heavenly
mission to reform an evil world.

Religion, as I have before stat