with profound attention, his eye fixed upon that of Newton, as
if to read his inmost thoughts, said, "It appears, then, that your
father wishes to prosecute his business as optician. I am afraid that I
cannot help him. I wear spectacles certainly when I read; but this pair
has lasted me eleven years, and probably will as many more. You wish me
to procure you a situation in an East Indiaman as third or fourth mate.
I know nothing about the sea; I never saw it in my life; nor am I aware
that I have a sailor in my acquaintance."

"Then, uncle, I will take my leave."

"Not so fast, young man; you said that you wanted my _assistance_ and my
_advice_. My assistance I cannot promise you for the reasons I have
stated; but my advice is at your service. Is it a legal point?"

"Not exactly, sir," replied Newton, who was mortified almost to tears;
"still I must acknowledge that I now more than ever wish that the
articles were in safe keeping, and out of my hands." Newton then
entered into a detail of the trunk being picked up at sea; and stated
his having brought with him the most valuable of the property, that it
might be deposited in safe bands.

"Humph!" observed his uncle, when he had finished. "You say that the
articles are of value."

"Those who are judges consider the diamonds and the other articles to be
worth nearly one hundred pounds; I cannot pretend to say what their real
value is."

"And you have had these things in your possession these seven years?"

"I have, sir."

"Did it never occur to you, since you have been in distress, that the
sale of these articles would have assisted you?"

"It often has occurred to me, when I have found that the little I could
earn was not sufficient for my father's support; but we had already
decided that the property was not _legally mine_, and I dismissed the
idea as soon as I could from my thoughts. Since then I have ascertained
to whom the property belongs, and of course it has become more sacred."

"You said a minute ago that you now more than ever wished the property
in safe keeping. Why so?"

"Because, disappointed in the hopes I had entertained of receiving your
assistance, I foresaw that we should have more difficulties than ever to
struggle against, and wished not to be in the way of temptation."

"You were right. Well, then bring me those articles to-morrow, by one
o'clock precisely; I will take charge of them, and give you a receipt.
Good morning, nephe