ng, as it must have been, with generous emotions, marvelling
doubtlessly at my credulity.

Mr. Moncton up to this period had resided in the house which contained
his office; the basement having been appropriated entirely for that
purpose, while the family occupied the floors above. My uncle seldom
received visitors, excepting at those times when Theophilus returned
from college. To these parties, I as a matter of course had never been
admitted. My uncle's evenings were spent abroad, but I was unacquainted
with his habits, and totally ignorant of his haunts.

Judge then, of my surprise and satisfaction when informed by Mr.
Moncton, that he had purchased a handsome house in Grosvenor Street,
and that we were to remove thither. The office was still to be retained
in Hatton Garden, but my hours of attendance were not to commence
before ten in the morning; and were to terminate at four in the
afternoon.

I had lived the larger portion of my life in great, smoky London, and
had never visited the west end of the town. The change in my prospects
was truly delightful. I was transported as if by magic from my low,
dingy, ill-ventilated garret, to a well-appointed room on the second
story of an elegantly furnished house in an airy, fashionable part of
the town; the apartment provided for my especial benefit, containing
all the luxuries and comforts which modern refinement has rendered
indispensable.

A small, but well-selected library crowned the whole.

I did little else the first day my uncle introduced me to this charming
room, but to walk to and fro from the book-case to the windows; now
glancing at the pages of some long coveted treasure; now watching with
intense interest the throng of carriages passing and repassing; hoping
to catch a glance of the fair face, which had made such an impression
on my youthful fancy.

A note from Mr. Moncton, kindly worded for him, conveyed to me the
pleasing intelligence that the handsome pressful of fine linen, and
fashionably cut clothes, was meant for my use; to which he had
generously added, a beautiful dressing-case, gold watch and chain.

I should have been perfectly happy, had it not been for a vague,
unpleasant sensation--a certain swelling of the heart, which silently
seemed to reproach me for accepting all these favours from a person
whom I neither loved nor respected.

Conscience whispered that it was far better to remain poor and
independent, than compromise my integrity