expence we have been at on his account, including the lawful interest, because that would put his gratitude out of doubt; and after all, it would detract nothing from my generosity, since I could not be positively certain when I advanced the money on his account, whether he ever would have the power and inclination to repay me

or not.'

I will answer for the inclination,' cried Mrs. Barnet. Truly, my dear,' replied her husband, if he has not the power, the inclination is a mere matter of moonshine; for which reason, if he never has the one, I shall not trouble you, nor any body else, to become responsible for the other.'

When they came home, Mrs. Barnet went directly to her own apartment, and left the two gentlemen seated in the parlour.

I should be glad to know, my good friend,' 'said Wormwood, whether you do 'not feel very comfortable, when you reflect on the services you have rendered to so fine a young man as Edward ?'

To be sure I do,' answered Barnet; I have felt something of that nature almost every day since my wife first brought him to the house,'

6

Perhaps you have had nearly as much satisfaction in such reflections, as in the recollection of the most magnificent dinner you ever gave

A great deal more,' replied Barnet; for I recollect having given magnificent dinners to people I hate.'

Possibly,' continued Wormwood, the reflections I allude to have been as comfortable to you as even the best dinner you ever eat yourself.'

"I cannot say quite so much as that,' replied Barnet; ⚫ because nothing can be so comfortable as a good dinner while one is eating it; though it sometimes lies a little heavy on the stomach after it is over; whereas the reflections you mention makes one's heart the easier and lighter the longer they continue."

The wisest thing we can do then, my friend,' said

Wormwood, is, to lay in store that kind of nourishment which is the most pleasant of disgestion.'

Edward himself had, like most youths at a certain age, an inclination for the army, and had given Mrs. Barnet some hints to that purpose; but she being averse to that plan, did not encourage it, and he lost hopes of it so much, that when the scheme of his studying law was proposed to him, as the most agreeable to Mr. and Mrs. Barnet, he expressed no reluctance, although he was by no means fond of the profession.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Virtue may be assail'd, but never hurt;
Surpris'd by unjust force, but not enthrall'd;
Yea even that which mischief meant most harm,
Shall in the happy trial prove most glory;
But evil on itself shall back recoil.

If this fail,

The pillar'd firmament is rottenness,

And earth's base built on stubble.

MILTON.

AN occurrence took place a little before this period, which

did much honour to Edward.

He had been long fond of the exercise of skating, in which, as in most others, he displayed uncommon address. While he was indulging himself in this amusement, with many others, the ice broke under one young man at a place where the water was deep enough to have drowned him; all who were near him fled immediately to the shore. Edward, at some distance, and with the graceful rapidity of the feathered mercury, was gliding over the surface when he saw the confusion, and heard an exclamation, that young Lord Fillagree would certainly be drowned. He immediately checked his course, and then moved towards the youth, whom he beheld holding by

the edge of the ice, and struggling to extricate himself; but as often as he made an effort to get out of the water, the ice broke, and he again fell in.-Several who observed Edward's intention called to him not to proceed, for if he did, he could only lose his own life, without saving the other's. Notwithstanding this prudent advice, he persisted in advancing towards the young man, who, despairing of the success of his own efforts, kept his hands. and arms above the sound part of the ice, and cried loudly and incessantly for assistance. As Edward approached, he begged him to be silent, and then holding his handkerchief by one corner, he threw the other to Fillagree, at the same time extending his arm to the utmost, that he might keep the weight of his own body as far as possible from the broken part of the ice, and that the sound might have the better chance of sustaining the youth when he should get upon it.-At that instant a sailor, who had not before been on the ice, but viewed the scene from the shore, ran towards Edward, calling, Avast, avast, brother; the sliders on which you stand have no hold; that squalling lubber is more likely to drag you to the bottom than you to heave him above board, or tow him ashore; catch fast hold of this here with your larboard hand.' So saying, he jerked the end of a piece of rope to Edward, while he himself stood firm on the ice, holding the other end. Now, boys, bear a hand,' cried he; hilloa, pull away.' It now appeared that the weakest parts of the ice had been already broken by the repeated exertions of the young lord; for when by a new effort he got above the ice it did not give way; and holding by the end of the handkerchief, he was pulled to a safe part of the ice by Evilen and the sailor.The latter, after contemplating the young lord with a look of contempt, said,- Zounds, what a squalling you did make, friend; d--n me if I have not seen a whole ship's crew go to the bottom with less noise than came from your single jaw-port.'

Edward could not help laughing at this speech of the

sailor. Whether it was the shivering condition in which Lord Fillagree was that deprived him of recollection, or his being offended at the sailor's speech and Edward's laughing, cannot be known, but he certainly went away with all the expedition he could, and without saying a word to either,

Edward then, shaking the sailor by the hand, offered him a guinea for his assistance in saving the young lord from being drowned.

or.

He is not worth the money, by G-d,' said the sail

Edward begged him to take it.

Well, since you insist upon it, master, I'll accept of your guinea,' resumed the sailor; but on my conscience you have a hard bargain.'

Lord Fillagree went abroad soon after, without wait ing on Edward, or ever expressing any sense of obliga.

tion.

At that time Edward was involved in a species of distress which he had hitherto been unacquainted with. A young man happened to be present when he received a remittance from Mrs. Barnet to clear off his year's accounts, and supply him with money for the immediate exigencies of the present term. This youth earnestly applied to Edward for the use of the whole, on a plausible pretext, and with the strongest assurances of repaying it within a certain time. Edward relying upon this, intrusted him with the whole; but two days before the term of repayment, the borrower left the university in many people's debt. This event afflicted Edward very much. Several tradesmen had given in their accounts, with intimation, that they were in great need of the money. When he reflected on the generosity which Mrs. Barnet had always shewn in regulating his allowance, it augmented his distress; he felt the greatest reluctance from communicating this affair to her; he would have applied with less uneasiness to Clifton, but on his first going to the university, she had advised him never to bor

row money from his fellow-students. Besides, Clifton had been for some time at the house of the earl of Frankvil, to whom he was related. As Oxford was on the road between this nobleman's house and the capital, he always sent for Clifton as he passed, and the youth had presented Edward to him; in consequence of which, and of the style in which Clifton spoke of his companion, Edward had been invited with Clifton to Frankvil-house. This invitation he had declined.

When Clifton returned, he assured Edward that he was a prodigious favourite with the earl, who had heard of his adventure with Lord Fillagree. Notwithstanding

his regret that the puppy was not drowned,' added Clifton, the earl admires your conduct exceedingly, and he told me in express terms that I should not be a welcome guest at Frankvil-house, unless I took you with me; and repeatedly in the hearing of a pretty numerous company expressed a strong inclination to serve you; and what he expressed I am sure he sincerely wishes to have an opportunity of performing, for he is in all respects a man of honour.'

While the two friends were talking on this subject, a letter was delivered to Edward. He shewed marks of indignation while he read it.

That epistle does not seem of an agreeable tenor, said Clifton.

Yet it relates to Lord Frankvil and you,' replied Edward, handing him the letter-which Clifton read as follows.

6 SIR,

is just

This will inform you that the living of become vacant; it is in the gift of the earl of Frankvil. The writer hereof is willing to pay into your hands the sum of £500, provided you will use all your influence with his lordship to bestow that living on a certain clergyman of great piety and learning, who will be mentioned to you. You shall have security, I say, that £500 will be paid to