to me as
Lavinia--Mrs. Pitkin."

"She told me so."

"She married against the wishes of her family, but I can see now that we
were all unreasonably prejudiced against her. Lavinia, however, trumped
up stories against her husband, which I am now led to believe were quite
destitute of foundation, and did all she could to keep alive the feud. I
feel now that I was very foolish to lend myself to her selfish ends. Of
course her object was to get my whole fortune for herself and her boy."

Phil had no doubt of this, but he did not like to say so, for it would
seem that he, too, was influenced by selfish motives.

"Then you are not so much prejudiced against Mrs. Forbush as she was
told?" he allowed himself to say.

"No, no!" said Mr. Carter earnestly. "Poor Rebecca! She has a much
better nature and disposition than Mrs. Pitkin. And you say she is
poor?"

"She had great difficulty in paying her last month's rent," said Philip.

"Where does she live?"

Phil told him.

"What sort of a house is it?"

"It isn't a brown-stone front," answered Phil, smiling. "It is a poor,
cheap house; but it is as good as she can afford to hire."

"And you like her?"

"Very much, Mr. Carter. She has been very kind to me, and though she
finds it so hard to get along, she has told me she will keep me as long
as she has a roof over her head, though just now I cannot pay my board,
because my income is gone."

"It will come back again, Philip," said the old gentleman.

Phil understood by this that he would be restored to his place in Mr.
Pitkin's establishment. This did not yield him unalloyed satisfaction,
for he was sure that it would be made unpleasant for him by Mr. Pitkin.
Still he would accept it, and meet disagreeable things as well as he
could.

By this time they had reached the Astor House.

Phil jumped out first, and assisted Mr. Carter to descend.

He took Mr. Carter's hand-bag, and followed him into the hotel.

Mr. Carter entered his name in the register.

"What is your name?" he asked--"Philip Brent?"

"Yes, sir."

"I will enter your name, too."

"Am I to stay here?" asked Phil, in surprise.

"Yes; I shall need a confidential clerk, and for the present you will
fill that position. I will take two adjoining rooms--one for you."

Phil listened in surprise.

"Thank you, sir," he said.

Mr. Carter gave orders to have his trunk sent for from the steamer, and
took possession of the room. Philip's room was smaller