he veriest coward, and could have trembled at my own shadow. It made a
woman of me. I did not want to live such a crippled, meagre existence;
but somehow I managed to struggle to the light.'

'Did anyone help you?'

'No, not consciously; I helped myself. At least'--in a lower
voice--'the help that came to me was from a higher source. One day I
will tell you about it, Blake; it was an awful crisis in a man's life,
and I should not speak about it unless I thought my experience could
benefit anyone. Now about yourself--have you formed any plans?'

'None; but I must get away from here.'

'I can understand that perfectly; and I must say that I think you are
right. Dr. Ross and I were speaking about you yesterday; he is deeply
grieved at the idea of parting with you so abruptly. He says, under any
other circumstances (he was thinking of his daughter when he spoke) that
it would have been well for you to go on with your work as usual--the
change could have been made after the holidays--but he fears now that
this is hardly possible. I am sure you will not misunderstand him.'

'No; he has decided quite rightly.'

'He will give you a testimonial of which any man may be proud. He told
me with tears in his eyes that he never knew anyone so young with so
great a moral influence; that your work was at all times excellent, and
that he had never had so high a respect for any of his masters. And he
begs me to say that you may command his purse or influence to any
reasonable extent. He will be truly grateful to you if you will not
refuse his help.'

'I fear I must refuse it.' And Cyril threw back his head with his old
proud gesture. 'But do not tell him so, Captain Burnett. Give him my
kindest, my most respectful regards. Say anything you like, but do not
compromise me. I will take nothing but my salary from Dr. Ross.'

'Then we will say no more about it,' returned Michael with ready tact.
'Every man has a right to his own independence. Have you any place to go
to when you leave here, Blake?'

Then Cyril shook his head.

'One can always take lodgings,' he replied. 'I must go up to town and
look out for some situation. I suppose, after all, my testimonials will
help me.'

'Without doubt they will. What do you say to a secretaryship? I have one
in my mind that I think would suit you. It is a friend of my own who is
wanting someone as a sort of general amanuensis and secretary. He is a
literary man and extremely wealthy, an old