r with much
gravity, 'to come and inspect that feature of our establishment which
you rashly disparage.' With that, taking up a candle, he conducted
his chum into the fourth room of the set of chambers--a little narrow
room--which was very completely and neatly fitted as a kitchen. 'See!'
said Eugene, 'miniature flour-barrel, rolling-pin, spice-box, shelf of
brown jars, chopping-board, coffee-mill, dresser elegantly furnished
with crockery, saucepans and pans, roasting jack, a charming kettle, an
armoury of dish-covers. The moral influence of these objects, in forming
the domestic virtues, may have an immense influence upon me; not upon
you, for you are a hopeless case, but upon me. In fact, I have an idea
that I feel the domestic virtues already forming. Do me the favour to
step into my bedroom. Secretaire, you see, and abstruse set of solid
mahogany pigeon-holes, one for every letter of the alphabet. To what use
do I devote them? I receive a bill--say from Jones. I docket it neatly
at the secretaire, JONES, and I put it into pigeonhole J. It's the next
thing to a receipt and is quite as satisfactory to ME. And I very much
wish, Mortimer,' sitting on his bed, with the air of a philosopher
lecturing a disciple, 'that my example might induce YOU to cultivate
habits of punctuality and method; and, by means of the moral influences
with which I have surrounded you, to encourage the formation of the
domestic virtues.'

Mortimer laughed again, with his usual commentaries of 'How CAN you be
so ridiculous, Eugene!' and 'What an absurd fellow you are!' but when
his laugh was out, there was something serious, if not anxious, in his
face. Despite that pernicious assumption of lassitude and indifference,
which had become his second nature, he was strongly attached to his
friend. He had founded himself upon Eugene when they were yet boys at
school; and at this hour imitated him no less, admired him no less,
loved him no less, than in those departed days.

'Eugene,' said he, 'if I could find you in earnest for a minute, I would
try to say an earnest word to you.'

'An earnest word?' repeated Eugene. 'The moral influences are beginning
to work. Say on.'

'Well, I will,' returned the other, 'though you are not earnest yet.'

'In this desire for earnestness,' murmured Eugene, with the air of one
who was meditating deeply, 'I trace the happy influences of the little
flour-barrel and the coffee-mill. Gratifying.'

'Eugene,' resumed