lar adventures on the road, I arrived at six o'clock in the
evening, foot-sore and weary at the rich man's door. When there, my
heart, which had been as stout as a lion's on the road, failed me, and
I sat down upon the broad stone steps that led up to the house, sorely
depressed and uncertain what course to take.

"This I knew would not do: the night was coming on, and the rain, which
had threatened all day, now began to fall fast. Making a desperate
effort, I sprang up the steps, and gave a gentle knock, so gentle that
it was unheard; and unable to summon sufficient courage to repeat the
experiment, I resumed my seat until some more fortunate applicant
should seek admittance.

"Not many minutes elapsed before the quick loud rap of the postman
brought Mrs. Jolly, the housekeeper, to the door; and edging close to
him of the red jacket, I asked in a tremulous voice--'If Mr. Mornington
was at home?'

"'Why, dearee me, master Philip, is that you?' said the kind woman,
elevating her spectacles: 'who would have thought of seeing you
t'night?'

"'Who, indeed! But, my dear Mrs. Jolly, is Mr. Mornington disengaged,
and can I see him?'

"'He is t'home, and you can speak to him, but not just now. He's to his
dinner, and doan't like to be disturbed. But come this way, an I'll
tell him you are here.'

"'Who's that you are speaking to, Mrs. Jolly?' cried my worthy old
friend as we passed the dining-room door, through which the footmen
were carrying an excellent dinner to table.

"'Only Mr. Philip, sir.'

"'Mr. Philip!' and the next moment, the old man came out and grasped me
warmly by the hand. 'Why, lad, what brings you back to school so
soon--tired of play already, hey?'

"'No, sir. I fear play will soon tire of me. I am to go to school no
more.'

"'Sorry to hear that, Phil. Just the time when instruction would be of
the most service to you. You would learn more in the ensuing year, than
in all that have gone before it. Leave school! no, no, I must see you
the head boy in it yet.'

"'That was my ambition, sir. But you know I am only a poor orphan lad,
entirely dependent on the bounty of Sir Alexander Moncton. I have
offended this gentleman, and he will do no more for me; and I walked
from the Park to-day to ask your advice as to what course I had better
pursue, and in what way I am most likely to earn my own living.'

"The old gentleman looked grave.

"'Offended Sir Alexander? You must have acted very imprudently