ment, Mr. Glastonbury was
not inattentive to his more important interests; for the truth is that
this excellent man had introduced him to the family only with the hope
of interesting the feelings of the Duke in his behalf. His Grace was
a man of a generous disposition. He sympathised with the recital of
Glastonbury as he detailed to him the unfortunate situation of this
youth, sprung from so illustrious a lineage, and yet cut off by a
combination of unhappy circumstances from almost all those natural
sources whence he might have expected support and countenance. And when
Glastonbury, seeing that the Duke's heart was moved, added that all he
required for him, Ferdinand, was a commission in the army, for which his
parents were prepared to advance the money, his Grace instantly declared
that he would exert all his influence to obtain their purpose.

Mr. Glastonbury was, therefore, more gratified than surprised when,
a few days after the conversation which we have mentioned, his noble
friend informed him, with a smile, that he believed all might be
arranged, provided his young charge could make it convenient to quit
England at once. A vacancy had unexpectedly occurred in a regiment just
ordered to Malta, and an ensigncy had been promised to Ferdinand Armine.
Mr. Glastonbury gratefully closed with the offer. He sacrificed a fourth
part of his moderate independence in the purchase of the commission and
the outfit of his young friend, and had the supreme satisfaction, ere
the third week of their visit was completed, of forwarding a Gazette to
Armine, containing the appointment of Ferdinand Armine as Ensign in the
Royal Fusiliers.

CHAPTER VIII.

_A Visit to Glastonbury's Chamber_.

IT WAS arranged that Ferdinand should join his regiment by the next
Mediterranean packet, which was not to quit Falmouth for a fortnight.
Glastonbury and himself, therefore, lost no time in bidding adieu to
their kind friends in London, and hastening to Armine. They arrived the
day after the Gazette. They found Sir Ratcliffe waiting for them at
the town, and the fond smile and cordial embrace with which he greeted
Glastonbury more than repaid that good man for all his exertions. There
was, notwithstanding, a perceptible degree of constraint both on the
part of the baronet and his former tutor. It was evident that Sir
Ratcliffe had something on his mind of which he wished to disburden
himself; and it was equally apparent that Glastonbu