ward, commenced in
a low tone to repeat the table.

"Louder, sir!" exclaimed Mr. Delancey, angrily; "how do you suppose I
can hear such a muttering as that?"

The throbbing in his breast increased to such a degree, that Guly felt
as if he could not breathe. He reached up and laid one white delicate
hand upon the desk tightly, for support, then summoning all his courage,
he elevated his voice, and went on, mechanically, to repeat what, in
calm moments, he knew as well as A B C, but which now seemed to be a
sort of dead memory, which would desert him every moment.

"Louder, sir!" again shouted his tormentor, as his voice unconsciously
lulled again. "What do you want to play the fool in this way for? If you
know it, speak up."

There was a sudden turning of heads by the clerks nearest the desk
towards the spot, attracted by the unusually loud tone of the
proprietor. Guly felt, rather than saw, that he had become the object of
attention, and with a last effort raised his voice, and commenced
another number, but suddenly he ceased altogether, the white hand slid
from the desk, and he fell fainting at Delancey's feet.

Wilkins sprang quickly forward, with a hot flush burning on either
cheek, and lifted the boy like a baby in his arms. As he did so he cast
a look full of deep and mysterious meaning upon Delancey. It was a look
difficult for a mere observer to interpret, but the merchant quailed
visibly beneath it, and turned aside his head.

Wilkins bore the quiet figure in his arms farther back into the shadow
of the staircase, and placing him in a large chair which stood there,
bathed his temples with camphor water, and held it to his nostrils,
gazing upon him meanwhile with an intense and anxious gaze. At length
the snowy lids, with their curve of golden lashes, trembled slightly,
then opened wide, and the blue eyes were raised an instant, appealingly,
to the face which bent kindly over him.

"A drop of water, Mr. Wilkins, if you please."

It was brought, and he drank eagerly.

"Are you better?"

"Yes, Wilkins, almost well."

He dropped his head upon his hand a moment, and those to whom he was
visible saw his lips move earnestly for a moment or two.

"I can go on without any trouble, I think," he said, in a voice of
gentle earnestness, referring to his unsaid table.

"You needn't say any more unless you would like to," returned Wilkins;
"I am sure you know it."

"I would rather," said Guly, firmly.

He r