of your misfortune, and there were
some free remarks made by some. I have great pleasure in saying that I
put an immediate stop to them, by telling them that, if they were
repeated in my presence, I should consider it as a personal quarrel."

Three months before, had I met Captain Atkinson, I should have returned
his bow with studied politeness, and have left him; but how changed were
my feelings! I took his hand, and shook it warmly.

"My dear sir," replied I, "I am very much obliged for your kind and
considerate conduct; there are more who are inclined to calumniate than
to defend."

"And always will be in this world, Mr Newland; but I have a fellow
feeling. I recollect how I was received and flattered when I was
introduced as a young man of fortune, and how I was deserted and
neglected when I was cleaned out. I know now _why_ they are so civil to
me, and I value their civility at just as much as it is worth. Will you
accept my arm:--I am going your way."

I could not refuse; but I coloured when I took it, for I felt that I was
not adding to my reputation by being seen in his company; and still I
felt, that although not adding to my reputation, I was less likely to
receive insult, and that the same cause which induced them to be civil
to him, would perhaps operate when they found me allied with him. "Be
it so," thought I, "I will, if possible, _extort_ politeness."

We were strolling down Bond Street, when we met a young man, well known
in the fashionable circles, who had dropped my acquaintance, after
having been formerly most pressing to obtain it. Atkinson faced him.

"Good morning, Mr Oxberry."

"Good morning, Captain Atkinson," replied Mr Oxberry.

"I thought you knew my friend Mr Newland?" observed Atkinson, rather
fiercely.

"Oh! really--I quite--I beg pardon. Good morning, Mr Newland; you have
been long absent. I did not see you at Lady Maelstrom's last night."

"No," replied I, carelessly, "nor will you ever. When you next see her
ladyship, ask her, with my compliments, whether she has had another
fainting fit."

"I shall certainly have great pleasure in carrying your message, Mr
Newland--good morning."

"That fool," observed Atkinson, "will now run all over town, and you
will see the consequence."

We met one or two others, and to them Atkinson put the same question, "I
thought you knew my friend Mr Newland?" At last, just as we arrived at
my own house in Saint James's Street, who