ing paler than before, as if pained by
my ready denial--"I meant to say that although I have never been in a
situation, yet I know the duties of a servant, for I have been for several
months under Lord Gorton's house-steward, Mr. Grindlay, and he has taught
me every thing."

"Did Lord Gorton pay you wages?"

"No; but he allowed me to wait at table, and I acted just as if I had been
paid wages."

"Mr. Grindlay is a friend of yours, then?"

"Yes; he has been very kind, and has taken a great deal of pains with me."

"And you think you are fit to undertake such a place as mine?"

"I think I am, and I should try to give satisfaction; for I am very
anxious indeed to earn my own living."

"And who is to give you a character?"

"Mr. Grindlay will; he has known me all my life."

During the conversation of which the above is an abridgement, I found that
my feelings were veering round to a more favorable quarter for the
candidate. Young as he was, I thought I could discern that he had
suffered, and that he was anxious to diminish, or repair, his ill fortunes
by industry and good conduct. There was a moment, too, in which I fancied
I saw the clew to his sorrows. It was when I said, "You are not married, I
presume?"

"No," said he.

"Because," I added, "my house is not large, and visitors below are
inconvenient."

"I have nobody in the world belonging to me but one sister. And the only
friend I have is Mr. Grindlay," he replied, with some eagerness, as if to
put a period to further inquiries in that direction, while he visibly
changed color. Feeling sure there was some painful family history behind,
I said no more, but that I would see Mr. Grindlay, if he would call on the
following day.

"By-the-by," I rejoined, as the young man was leaving, the room, "we said
nothing about wages; what do you expect?"

"Whatever you are accustomed to give," he answered.

"Very well; I'll speak to Mr. Grindlay about it."

It was the situation he was anxious about, clearly; not wages.

On the following morning Mr. Grindlay came.

"You are well acquainted with this young man?" I said.

"I have known him since he was that high," he answered, placing his hand
on the table; "and you can't have a better lad; that I'll engage."

"He is honest and sober?"

"You may trust him with untold gold; and as for wine or spirits, such a
thing never passes his lips."

"But he has been under your guidance, Mr. Grindlay," I answered; "he is