pating an orgy as he nears his favourite haunts,
jingles the silver in his pockets; and now the two forms are at his
heels.

"Hail to thee, O Freedom!" muttered John Burley, "thy dwelling is in
cities, and thy palace is the tavern."

"In the king's name," quoth a gruff voice; and John Burley feels the
horrid and familiar tap on the shoulder.

The two bailiffs who dogged have seized their prey. "At whose suit?"
asked John Burley, falteringly. "Mr. Cox, the wine-merchant."

"Cox! A man to whom I gave a check on my bankers not three months ago!"

"But it war n't cashed."

"What does that signify?--the intention was the same. A good heart takes
the will for the deed. Cox is a monster of ingratitude, and I withdraw
my custom."

"Sarve him right. Would your honour like a jarvey?"

"I would rather spend the money on something else," said John Burley.
"Give me your arm, I am not proud. After all, thank Heaven, I shall not
sleep in the country."

And John Burley made a night of it in the Fleet.

CHAPTER XII.

Miss Starke was one of those ladies who pass their lives in the direst
of all civil strife,--war with their servants. She looked upon the
members of that class as the unrelenting and sleepless enemies of the
unfortunate householders condemned to employ them. She thought they ate
and drank to their villanous utmost, in order to ruin their benefactors;
that they lived in one constant conspiracy with one another and the
tradesmen, the object of which was to cheat and pilfer. Miss Starke was
a miserable woman. As she had no relations or friends who cared enough
for her to share her solitary struggle against her domestic foes; and
her income, though easy, was an annuity that died with herself, thereby
reducing various nephews, nieces, or cousins to the strict bounds of a
natural affection,--that did not exist; and as she felt the want of some
friendly face amidst this world of distrust and hate,--so she had tried
the resource of venal companions. But the venal companions had never
stayed long, either they disliked Miss Starke, or Miss Starke disliked
them. Therefore the poor woman had resolved upon bringing up some
little girl, whose heart, as she said to herself, would be fresh and
uncorrupted, and from whom she might expect gratitude. She had been
contented, on the whole, with Helen, and had meant to keep that child in
her house as long as she (Miss Starke) remained upon the earth,--perhaps
some thirty year