ood Mr. Saul's small bed, and in another distant corner
stood his small dressing-table. Against the wall stood a ricketty deal
press in which he kept his clothes. Other furniture there was none. One
of the large windows facing toward the farmyard had been permanently
closed, and in the wide embrasure was placed a portion of Mr. Saul's
library--books which he had brought with him from college; and on the
ground under this closed window were arranged the others, making a long
row, which stretched from the bed to the dressing-table, very pervious,
I fear, to the attacks of mice. The big table near the fireplace was
covered with books and papers--and, alas, with dust; for he had fallen
into that terrible habit which prevails among bachelors, of allowing his
work to remain ever open, never finished, always confused--with papers
above books, and books above papers--looking as though no useful product
could ever be made to come forth from such chaotic elements. But there
Mr. Saul composed his sermons, and studied his Bible, and followed up,
no doubt, some special darling pursuit, which his ambition dictated. But
there he did not eat his meals; that had been made impossible by the
pile of papers and dust; and his chop, therefore, or his broiled rasher,
or bit of pig's fry was deposited for him on the little dressing-table,
and there consumed.

Such was the solitary apartment of the gentleman who now aspired to the
hand of Miss Clavering; and for this accommodation, including
attendance, he paid the reasonable sum of L10 per annum. He then had L60
left, with which to feed himself; clothe himself like a gentleman--a
duty somewhat neglected--and perform his charities!

Harry Clavering, as he looked around him, felt almost ashamed of his
sister. The walls were whitewashed, and stained in many places; and the
floor in the middle of the room seemed to be very rotten. What young man
who has himself dwelt ever in comfort would like such a house for his
sister? Mr. Saul, however, came forward with no marks of visible shame
on his face, and greeted his visitor frankly with an open hand. "You
came down from London yesterday, I suppose?" said Mr. Saul.

"Just so," said Harry.

"Take a seat;" and Mr. Saul suggested the arm-chair, but Harry contented
himself with one of the others. "I hope Mrs. Clavering is well?" "Quite
well," said Harry, cheerfully. "And your father--and sister?" "Quite
well, thank you," said Harry, very stiffly. "I wou