a very different plan from that which he had pursued in the education of his son. Now, a different pl

llcraft should cry loud enough before he had. He'd sicken him." Still the hopeful youth pursued his travels-still he transmitted his orders at sight-still they were honoured punctually-still Augustus Theodore chuckled with stupid delight over what he considered the pitiful submission of his partner, who had not courage to reject his drafts, and dared not utter now one brief expostulatory word. Mr Brammel, junior, like the rest of the firm, lived in his own delusions. The fourth year dawned, and Mr Brammel suddenly appeared amongst his friends. He and his lady had travelled over Europe; they had seen the world-the world had seen them; they were sick of wandering-they desired to settle. A noble villa, with parks and paddocks, was quickly taken and sumptuously furnished; hunters were got from Tattersall's-nursery-maids from France-an establishment worthy of the name rose like magic, almost within sight of Michael's humble dwelling, taking the neighbourhood by surprise, startling and affrighting Allcraft. Again the latter visited the fond old man-remonstrated, complained; and once more the father entreated

difficult breath through threescore years and ten; whilst the young, the hardy, and the sound are smitten in their pride, and fall in heaps about him. It is no less strange that a house of business like that of our friend Mr Allcraft, should assert its existence for years, rotten as it was, during the whole of the time, at its very heart's core. And yet such is the case. Eight years elapsed, and found it

ng leisurely the county newspapers through golden eyeglasses. He holds them with the air of a gentleman, comfortable and at ease in all respects, mentally and bodily. Augustus Theodore swings on a chair before the fire, which he keeps at work for his own especial consolation. His feet stretch along the fender-his amusement is the poker. He has grown insufferably vain, is dressed many degrees above the highest fashionable point, and looks a dissipated, hopeless blackguard. Planner, very subdued, very pale, and therefore very unlike himself, stands behind the chair of Allcraft; and ever and a

sigh, that seems to carry from his hea

e drawn towards the baize-covered table. The par

ed this meeting necessary. I have no desire to use reproaches, and I shall refer as little as I may to the past. I ask you all to do me justice. Have I not laboured like a slave for the common

gently, remarking that Allcraft slightly

fearful of showing his indignation and of being overheard-"Calm! It is well for you to talk so. Had I been less calm, less easy; had

with much formal

onal inconvenience, and I am prepared to listen respectfully to any thing which Mr Allcraft thinks it his duty

several thousand pounds, which must be met within a week. A third of the sum required will not be at our command. How is it to be obtained? and, if obtained, how is it to repair the inroads which, year aft

mmel. "You have had the management in your own hands, and so you have nobody but you

will speak of shortly," said Michael, turning to the speake

must be allowed to say, that you betray a very improper spiri

pera

I sa

ed in my duty. I have given my strength, my health, my peace of mind, to the house. I have drawn less than your clerk from its resources; but I

Bellamy, interrupting him, "you have

have, year after year, without the slightest hesitation or remorse, sucked its life-blood from it. You have borrowed, as these accounts will show, thousands of pounds, and paid them back with promises and wo

lamy coolly, "you are s

told the

the point, sir. We have heavy payments due

shall

y quietly. "You are sure of that? You canno

ed, with deter

tment over for the present, still my own private affairs shall be as nothing in comparison with the general good. This provided for, I will protect myself from future insult, depend upon it. You are wrong, Mr Allcraft-very wrong.

lt to withdraw entirely his confidence in Mr Bellamy's ultimate desire and capability to deal honorably and justly by him. Much of the Mogul's power was unquestionably derived from his massive physique; but his chief excellence lay in that peculiar off-hand, patronizing, take-it-for-granted air, w

departed. In the course of ten minutes they were recalled by the autocrat himse

bsolutely necessary to provide against the immediate exigency, and to postpone

part, never wished to talk or think about the pas

mmel-a gentleman of your discr

to find if he were jeering him; b

o say so. Perhaps he will think better of it, (Allcraft shook his head.) Ah; just so. He desponds a little now. He takes the dark side of things. For my own part, I prefer the bright. He believes, as you have heard, that we are on the

ugustus Brammel; "that's

s in this emergency-but, however, taking it, I say, for granted, that our friend here will not succour us-it appears to me, that only one l

-so there are," crie

oan. We will avail ourselves of it-say for three months. That will give us time to turn about us, and to prepare ourselves against similar unple

continued Brammel; "

ness. One of us must certainly go to London, and I do think it due to our youngest member, Brammel, to concede to him the honour of representing us in the metropo

ut perceived, to his mortification, that the latter, instead of being pleasantly affected by his address, wriggled in his cha

t go. I can't borrow money. I do not know how to do it. I don't want the honour, thank you. It's very good of you, and I

e of his natural and annihilatin

you are honoured by being made a useful indiv

Brammel, in his accustom

resent; you likewise are aware that if any thing happens to the serious injury of the bank through your imprudence-your inheritance from that respected parent would be dearly purchased for a sh

't-I don't know how to do i

am sure. You shall be taught. Every thing shall be made easy and agreeable. You will carry yo

ot used

ny. You are too sensible a man. Pray let us have no delay, Mr Allcraft. See what we want. Mr Brammel will go to London to-morrow. We must take time by the forelock. Let us meet these heav

his misconduct or extravagance. It was not from the lips of Mr Bellamy that he heard this threat for the first time. What he should do, if it were carried out, heaven only knows. He consented to go to London on this disgusting mission, and he could have bitten his tongue out for speaking his acquiescence, so enraged was he with himself, and all the world, at his defeat. He did not affect to conceal his anger; and yet, strange to say, it was not visible to Mr Bellamy. On the contrary, he thanked Mr Brammel for the cheerful and excellent spirit in which he had met his partners' wishes, and expressed himself de