de of proceeding, I am ready to abide by
it. Good morning, Mr. Meekly; I see no use in your accompanying me
any further."

I was thus decided, because I saw I had to deal with an extortioner. A
rogue himself, Mr. Daggett was afraid I might get rid of my personal
property before he could issue an execution by the regular mode; and he
anticipated frightening or constraining me into an arrangement. It would
be my business to disappoint him; and I assumed an air of confidence that
soon shook off my companion. A few minutes later, the key of the old stone
debtor's jail was turned upon me. I had a little money, and reluctant to
be shut up with the company I found in the building, I succeeded in
procuring a small, ill-furnished room, to myself.

These preliminaries were hardly settled, when Neb was admitted with the
bag. The poor fellow had been in tears; for he not only felt for me, but
he felt for the disgrace and misfortune which had alighted on the whole
Clawbonny stock. He had yet to learn that the place itself was gone, and I
shrank from telling him the fact; for, to his simple mind, it would be
like forcing body and soul asunder. All the negroes considered themselves
as a part of Clawbonny, and a separation must have appeared in their eyes
like some natural convulsion. Neb brought me a letter. It was sealed with
wax, and bore the impression of the Hardinge arms. There was also an
envelop, and the address had been written by Rupert. In short, everything
about this letter denoted ease, fashion, fastidiousness, and the
observance of forms. I lost no time in reading the contents, which I
copy, verbatim.

"_Broadway, Wednesday morning._

"Dear Wallingford,

"It has just occurred to me that the enclosed may be of service to you;
and I reproach myself for not having bethought me of your probable
necessities when I saw you. I regret it is not in my power to ask you to
dine with me, _en famille_, to-day; but Mrs. Hardinge has company, and
we are engaged out every other day this week. I shall fall in with you
again, some day, however, when I hope to be less engaged. Lucy has just
heard of your safety and arrival, and has gone to write a note to my
father, who will be glad to learn you are still in the land of the
living. The General, who lives with us, desires to be mentioned, and
hopes when he returns to England, it may be as your passenger. Adieu,
dear Wallingford; I shall never forget our boyish