ency--and created so unfavourable an impression in the
mind of the emigration agent that that gentleman regarded him with
suspicion from that moment, and apparently ceased to wish to afford him
any aid.

"I am very sorry," he said, politely, "but I don't think that we have
anything that would suit you. There is a college at Dunedin where they
want a junior master, but there, a man with a good degree
and--hum--unimpeachable antecedents would be required. People out there
are in want of men with a trade: not of clerks, nor of poor professional
men."

"Then I must go as a hodman or a breaker of stones," said Brian, "for I
mean to go."

"I don't think that that employment is one for which you are especially
fitted, Mr. Smith," said the agent, with a slight smile. Brian had
impatiently given the name of Smith in making his application, and the
agent, who was a man of wide experience, did not believe that it was his
own; "but, of course, if you like to try it, you can look at these
papers about 'assisted passages.'"

"Thank you, that is not necessary," answered Brian, rather curtly. "A
steerage passage to Australia does not cost a fortune. If I go out as a
labouring man I think I can manage it. But I am obliged to you for your
kindness in answering my questions."

He had resumed his usual manner, which had been somewhat ruffled by the
tone taken by the agent, and now asked one or two practical questions
respecting the fares, the lines of steamers, and matters of that kind;
after which he bade the agent a courteous good-morning and went upon his
way.

He foresaw that the inevitable cloud hanging over his past story would
prove a great obstacle to his obtaining employment in the way he
desired. Any work requiring certificates or testimonials was utterly out
of the question for him in England. In Australia or New Zealand things
might be different. He had no great wish to go to America--he had once
spent a summer holiday in the Eastern States, and did not fancy that
they would be agreeable places of residence for him in his present
circumstances, and he had no great desire to "go West;" besides, he had
a wish to put as great a distance as possible between himself and
England. As he walked away from the emigration office he made up his
mind to take the first vessel that sailed for Sydney.

He had nothing to do. He wanted to divert his mind from thoughts of
Elizabeth. It flashed across his mind that he would go to the hosp