g else to do here but to
eat. Better try the kidney, sir. Is there anything you fancy?'

'I have made up my mind to go to gaol to-day.' 'Lord! sir, don't think
of it. Something will turn up, sir, take my word.'

And sooth to say, the experienced waiter was not wrong. For bringing
in the breakfast, followed by an underling with a great pomp of plated
covers, he informed Ferdinand with a chuckle, that a gentleman was
enquiring for him. 'Told you your friends would come, sir.'

The gentleman was introduced, and Ferdinand beheld Mr. Glastonbury.

'My dear Glastonbury,' said Ferdinand, scarcely daring to meet his
glance, 'this is very kind, and yet I wished to have saved you this.'

'My poor child,' said Glastonbury.

'Oh! my dear friend, it is all over. This is a more bitter moment for
you even than for me, kind friend. This is a terrible termination of all
your zeal and labours.'

'Nay!' said Glastonbury; 'let us not think of anything but the present.
For what are you held in durance?'

'My dear Glastonbury, if it were only ten pounds, I could not permit you
to pay it. So let us not talk of that. This must have happened sooner
or later. It has come, and come unexpectedly: but it must be borne, like
all other calamities.'

'But you have friends, my Ferdinand.'

'Would that I had not! All that I wish now is that I were alone in
the world. If I could hope that my parents would leave me to myself, I
should be comparatively easy. But when I think of them, and the injury I
must do them, it is hell, it is hell.'

'I wish you would tell me your exact situation,' said Mr. Glastonbury.

'Do not let us talk of it; does my father know of this?'

'Not yet.'

''Tis well; he may yet have a happy day. He will sell Armine.'

Glastonbury shook his head and sighed. 'Is it so bad?' he said.

'My dearest friend, if you will know the worst, take it. I am here for
nearly three thousand pounds, and I owe at least ten more.'

'And they will not take bail?'

'Not for this debt; they cannot. It is a judgment debt, the only one.'

'And they gave you no notice?'

'None: they must have heard somehow or other that my infernal marriage
was off. They have all waited for that. And now that you see that
affairs are past remedy; let us talk of other topics, if you will be
so kind as to remain half an hour in this dungeon. I shall quit it
directly; I shall go to gaol at once.'

Poor Glastonbury, he did not like to go, and yet it was a