but he had achieved nothing further. He had stipulated for no jointure; he had obtained no bond or deed which would guarantee to himself a single shilling of the thousands he had been the means of transferring to his dupe.

Probably he would have cared little about urging either of these points, had he not perceived the altered manner of Sir Stephen, and which, shrewd and calculating as he was, had come upon him by surprise. He thought he knew him well enough, and that with plenty of money to spend, with a fine house, and a retinue of servants to boot, he should find him insensible to any other feelings. He was mistaken; and the discovery of his error, besides awakening his cupidity, had provoked his resentment at the base ingratitude of one who, according to his notions, owed him everything. There were moments when this view of his conduct galled him so sharply, that if he could have undone all he had done, he would have flung him back upon the world as poor as he found him; but, as he could not do this, the consideration of his cooler moments was, to guard against being so flung back himself.

CHAPTER VIII.

To have an open ear, a quick eye, and a nimble hand, is necessary for a cut-purse.

AUTOLYCUS. (Winter's Tale.)

THE Chevalier Gabrielli and his servant pursued their journey to Black Rock without any notable adventure by the way, save one, which arose from Three Farthing Nick's unconquerable attachment to his profession.

Having contrived, on the first day of their setting forth, suitably to equip himself as the servant of Black Kenneth, it was necessary, in order to avoid all suspicion, whenever they put up at an inn, that he should betake himself to the kitchen, or common sitting-room, while the Chevalier took solitary possession of the apartment allotted to travellers of his supposed rank. This was every way more agreeable to Jem Major than to the Chevalier;

for while the former generally found himself in company he liked, the latter was compelled to have for a companion, one of the least agreeable persons that could possibly be selected for the office. In order, therefore, to abridge, as much as might be, these irksome interviews with himself, he made it a rule to be "attended by his own servant" instead of the waiters. Due care was of course always taken to prolong, as much as possible, the occasions on which this attendance was required.

In the afternoon of the third day, however, when the Chevalier rang his bell to let Jem Major know he was ready for dinner, it was answered by the landlord himself—Jem was not in the way. The Chevalier, affecting great wrath, and threatening to dismiss the rascal without his wages, ordered mine host to send up dinner without waiting any longer. The meal was eaten, and the time arrived for proceeding on their journey; but no Jem Major made his appearance. The Chevalier now grew uneasy; and certain forebodings came across his mind, (for they were within twenty miles of Black Rock,) lest some unpleasant recognition had taken place, which made it impossible for

Jem to show himself. Under all the circumstances, therefore, he considered it prudent to be moving himself; and having paid the bill, he ordered his horse to be brought to the door, giving strict orders, at the same time, for his servant to follow, the moment he returned.

Upon going into the stable to saddle the Chevalier's horse, another discovery was made. Jem's mare was gone, as well as himself. When the Chevalier heard this, his anxiety to be gone, too, was prodigiously increased, accompanied with a corresponding decrease of anxiety to reach Black Rock; for now, he felt convinced, Three Farthing Nick, by some strange mischance or other, had fallen into the hands of the Philistines.

As he rode along, he kept a wary eye upon every person he met, and frequently cast inquisitive glances behind, to see if he was followed. In this manner he arrived at a turning of the road, when it was necessary he should make up his mind whether he would proceed on to Black Rock, or strike across the. country in a totally opposite direction. While he was debating the matter with himself, he heard the well-known chuckle of Three

Farthing Nick. Looking round, he saw his head peeping over a quickset hedge, and his right hand holding a canvass bag, which he jingled significantly, as he gaily chaunted,—

"The first ale-house we come at,
We'll have a pot of brandy;

The next ale-house we come at,
We'll drink whatever 's handy."

"Here have I been waiting these two hours," said he, when he had finished his stave, "and wondering what kept you; for your dinner was ready before I started. But, go on," he continued, pointing along the road in the direction of Black Rock; "I must ride round by yon barn, to get into your wake."

With these words, and without waiting for an answer, he disappeared, and the next minute, Black Kenneth perceived him crossing the meadow at full gallop. The Chevalier put spurs to his horse also, and had not ridden above half a mile, before he saw his companion, waiting for him.

"The devil confound you!" he exclaimed, as soon as he joined him; "I have been thinking about nothing but a halter, the last hour.