cheer up whatever happens."

John, who, although country-born and bred, had his wits about him,
managed to see as many of the sights of London as he intended. Owen was
much interested by all he saw, and the days passed quickly by. The
important volume, which was, he hoped, to convince Simon Fluke of his
relationship, safely arrived one evening, and he and John the following
morning set off with it to Wapping. John insisted on remaining outside
while Owen had his interview with Simon Fluke, and ascertained whether
any employment was to be given him.

"If I find you are comfortably settled, then I shall go home happy in my
mind," said John; "if not, as I said before, you shall come back with
me; I won't leave you alone in this big city."

Owen entered the office with the book in his hand. Mr Fluke was
engaged in his private room. Mr Tarwig, the head clerk, got off his
stool to speak to him, and had Owen put a proper value on this piece of
condescension, he would have considered it a good sign.

"Sit down, my boy, the master will be out soon, and he has something to
say to you," said Mr Tarwig, pointing to a bench, and nodding to Owen,
he returned to his seat. In a few minutes the door opened, and a
fine-looking seafaring man, evidently the master of a ship, came out.
As he passed by he gave a glance at Owen, who heard him addressed by Mr
Tarwig as Captain Aggett. "What a pleasant look he has," thought Owen;
"I should like to be under him. I wonder if he can give me anything to
do?" Mr Fluke put his head out directly afterwards, and seeing Owen,
beckoned him in.

"Well, lad, have you got the book?" he asked.

Owen undid the parcel, and handed him the volume. The old man examined
it minutely, but Owen could detect no change in his countenance.

"That's my handwriting, there's no doubt about it, written when I gave
the book to my cousin Susan, as she was about to marry Henry Walford,"
muttered Mr Fluke to himself. He was then silent for some time,
forgetting, apparently, that any one was in the room. "Have you any
books with the name of Walford in them?" he asked, fixing his keen
glance on Owen; "that would be more clear proof that you are the person
whom you say you are."

"Yes, sir, I remember several of my mother's books which she had before
her marriage, and others which had belonged to my grandmother, with
their names in them; I do not know, however, whether they can be
recovered. A bookseller pur