senses, he could not
recognize his brother in the gaunt grim apparition before him; but at
length he came forward, gazed into Randal's face, and, grasping his hand
in amazed silence, led him into the little parlour. Not a trace of
the well-bred refinement which had once characterized Randal's air and
person was visible. His dress bespoke the last stage of that terrible
decay which is significantly called the "shabby genteel." His mien was
that of the skulking, timorous, famished vagabond. As he took off his
greasy tattered hat, he exhibited, though still young in years, the
signs of premature old age. His hair, once so fine and silken, was of
a harsh iron-gray, bald in ragged patches; his forehead and visage were
ploughed into furrows; intelligence was still in the aspect, but an
intelligence that instinctively set you on your guard,--sinister,
gloomy, menacing.

Randal stopped short all questioning. He seized the small modicum of
wine on the table, and drained it at a draught. "Poole," said he, "have
you nothing that warms a man better than this?" Oliver, who felt as if
under the influence of a frightful dream, went to a cupboard and took
out a bottle of brandy three-parts full. Randal snatched at it eagerly,
and put his lips to the mouth of the bottle. "Ah," said he, after a
short pause, "this comforts; now give me food." Oliver hastened himself
to serve his brother; in fact, he felt ashamed that even the slipshod
maid-servant should see his visitor. When he returned with such
provisions as he could extract from the larder, Randal was seated by the
fire, spreading over the embers emaciated bony hands, like the talons of
a vulture.

He devoured the cold meat set before him with terrible voracity, and
nearly finished the spirits left in the bottle; but the last had no
effect in dispersing his gloom. Oliver stared at him in fear; the
terrier continued to utter a low suspicious growl.

"You would know my history?" at length said Randal, bluntly. "It is
short. I have tried for fortune and failed, I am without a penny and
without a hope. You seem poor,--

"I suppose you cannot much help me. Let me at least stay with you for a
time,--I know not where else to look for bread and for shelter."

Oliver burst into tears, and cordially bade his brother welcome. Randal
remained some weeks at Oliver's house, never stirring out of the doors,
and not seeming to notice, though he did not scruple to use, the new
habiliments, whic