ce you must
eventually have brought upon your family."

"Hold, sir; I have none, save a brother--"

"Well, sir; and your brother's feelings are, I trust, not to be
slightingly treated--a young gentleman whose position and prospects are
of the very highest order."

"You are his agent, I perceive Mr. Basset," said I, with a significant
smile.

"I am, sir," replied he, with a deep flush that mounted even to his
forehead.

"Then let me save you all further trouble on my account," said I,
calmly. "My brother's indifference to me or my fate has long since
absolved me from any regret I might feel for the consequences which my
actions might induce on his fortunes. His own conduct must stamp him,
as mine must me. I choose to judge for myself; and not even Mr.
Basset shall decide for me, although I am well aware his powers of
discrimination have had the double advantage of experience on both sides
of the question."

As I said this, his face became almost livid, and his white lips
quivered with passion. He knew not before that I was acquainted with
his history, nor that I knew of his having sold to the Government
information which brought his schoolfellow and benefactor to the
scaffold.

"Come, come," continued I, gaining courage, as I saw the effect my words
produced, "it is not your interest to injure me, however it may be your
wish. Is there no arrangement we can come to, mutually advantageous? We
shall be but sorry companions. I ought to have some property under my
grandfather's will."

"There is, I believe, five hundred pounds," said Basset, with a slow
distinctness, as if not rejecting the turn the conversation had taken.

"Well, then, what will you take to cancel that indenture? You don't set
a very high value on my services, I suppose?"

"You forget, I perceive," said he, "that I am answerable for your future
appearance if called on."

"There was no bail-bond drawn out, no sum mentioned, if I mistake not,
Mr. Basset."

"Very true, sir; very true; but I pledged myself to the law adviser,--my
character is responsible."

"Well, well, let me have two hundred pounds; bum that cursed
indenture--"

"Two hundred pounds! Do you fancy, then, that you are in the possession
of this legacy? Why, it never may, in all likelihood it never will, be
yours; it's only payable on your attaining your majority."

"Give me one hundred pounds, then,--give me fifty; let me only be free,
at liberty, and not absolutely a beggar