ludicrous that it was a standing joke
among the clerks in the office.

"When you step into your cousin's shoes, Geoffrey, we hope they will
suit you better than his clothes."

I could have been happy in the coarsest fustian or corderoy garment
which I knew was my own. I believe Robert Moncton felt a malicious
pleasure in humbling me in the eyes of his people.

My uncle had fulfilled his promise, and I had been articled to him when
I completed my fourteenth year; and I now eagerly looked forward to my
majority, when I should be free to quit his employ, and seek a living
in the world.

My time had been so completely engaged in copying law papers, that I
had not been able to pay much attention to the higher branches of the
profession; and when night came, and I was at length released from the
desk, I was so over-powered by fatigue that I felt no inclination to
curtail the blessed hours of sleep by reading dull law books. Yet, upon
this all-important knowledge, which I was neglecting, rested my chance
of independence.

My cousin Theophilus was pursuing his studies at Oxford, and rarely
visited home, but spent his vacations with some wealthy relatives in
Yorkshire. This was a happy time for me; for of all my many trials his
presence was the greatest. Even Mr. Moncton was more civil to me in the
absence of his hopeful heir.

Thus time glided on until I was twenty years of age, and full six feet
in height, and I could no longer wear the cast-off suits of my cousin.
Mr. Moncton, in common decency, was at length obliged to order my
clothes of his tailor; but he took good care that they should be of the
coarsest description, and of the most unfashionable cut. The first suit
which was made expressly for me, ridiculous as it must appear to my
readers, gave me infinite satisfaction. I felt proud and happy of the
acquisition.

The afternoon of that memorable day, my uncle sent for me into the
drawing-room to witness the transfer of some law papers. His clients
were two ladies, young and agreeable. While I was writing from Mr.
Moncton's dictation, I perceived, with no small degree of trepidation,
that the younger was regarding me with earnest attention; and in spite
of myself my cheeks flushed and my hand trembled. After my part of the
business was concluded Mr. Moncton told me to withdraw. As I left the
room, I heard Miss Mary Beaumont say, in a low voice to her sister--my
uncle having stepped into the adjoining apartment: