over particular when my blood's upbut-I-I wouldn't hurt a hair of your head, poor chap! - for all I've said

no, not for double the rent you owe me. Come! don't go on so, Mr Titmouse-what's the use? it's all quite -over-I'm so sorry-Lud! if I'd really thought"-she almost sobbed"you'd been so-so-why, I'd have waited till to-morrow night before I'd said a word. But, Mr Titmouse, since you haven't had any dinner, won't you have a mouthful of somethinga bit of bread and cheese? - I'll soon fetch you up a bit, and a drop of beer-we've just had it in for our suppers."

"No, thank you-I can't-I can't

eat."

"Oh, bother it, but you shall! I'll go down and fetch it up in half a minute, as sure as my name's Squallop!" And out of the room, and down stairs she bustled, glad of a moment to recover herself.

"Lord-a-mercy!" said she, on entering her room, to her eldest daugh. ter and a neighbour who had just come in to supper-and while she hastily cut a thick hunch of bread, and a good slice of cheese" there I've been a rating that poor chap, up at the top room (my dandy lodger, you know,) like any thing and I really don't think he's had a morsel of victuals in his belly this precious day; and I've made him cry, poor soul! as if his heart would break. Pour us out half a pint of that beer, Sally-a good half pint, mind!-I'm going to take it up stairs directly. I've gone a deal too far with him, I do think-but it's all of that nasty old Gripe-I've been wrong all the day through it! How I hate the sight of old Gripe! - What odious-looking people they do get to collect the rates and taxes, to be sure! -Poor chap," she continued, as she wiped out a plate with her apron, and put into it the bread and cheese, with a knife" he offered me a chair when I went in, so uncommon civil-like, it took a good while before I could get myself into the humour to give it him as I wanted. And he's no father nor mother, (half of which has happened to you, Sal, and the rest will happen one of these days, you know!) and he's not such a very bad lodger, after all, though he does get a little behind-hand now and then, and though he turns out every Sunday

like a lord, poor fool-as my poor husband used to say, 'with a shining back and empty belly."

"But that's no reason why honest people should be kept out of their own, to feed his pride," interposed her neighbour, a skinny old widow, who had never had chick nor child, and was always behind-hand with her own rent; but whose effects were not worth distraining upon. "I'd get hold of some of his fine crincum-crancums and gim-cracks, for security, like, if I were you. I would, indeed."

"Why-no, poor soul-I don't hardly like: he's a vain creature, and puts every thing he can on his back, to be sure; but he a'n't quite a rogue, neither."

"Ah, ha, Mrs Squallop-you're such a simple soul! - Won't my fine gentleman make off with his finery after to-night?"

"Well, I shouldn't have thought it! To be sure he may! Really, there can't be much harm in asking him (in a kind way) to deposit one of his fine things with me, by way of security-that ring of his, you know

eh? Well, I'll try it," said Mrs Squallop, as she set off up stairs.

"I know what I should do, if he was a lodger of mine, that's all," said her visiter, (as Mrs Squallop quitted the room,) vexed to find their supper so considerably and unexpectedly diminished, especially as to the pot of porter, which she strongly suspected would not be replenished.

"There," said Mrs Squallop, set ting down on the table what she had brought for Titmouse, "there's a bit of supper for you; and you're welcome to it, I'm sure, Mr Titmouse."

"Thank you, thank you I can't eat," said he, casting, however, upon the victuals a hungry eye, which belied what he said, while in his heart he longed to be left alone with them for about three minutes.

"Come, don't be ashamed-fall to work-it's good wholesome victuals," said she, lifting the table near to the edge of the bed, on the side of which he was sitting, and taking up the two shillings lying on the table "and capital beer, I warrant me; you'll sleep like a top after it."

"You're uncommon kind, Mrs Squallop; but I sha'n't get a wink of sleep to-night for thinking."

"Oh, bother your thinking! Let me see you begin to eat a bit. Well, I suppose you don't like to eat and drink before me, so I'll go." [Here arose a sudden conflict in the good woman's mind, whether or not she would act on the suggestion which had been put into her head down stairs. She was on the point of yielding to the impulse of her own goodnatured, though coarse feelings; but at last-] "I-I-dare say, Mr Titmouse, you mean what's right and straightforward," she stammered.

"Yes, Mrs Squallop-you may keep those two shillings; they're the last farthing I have left in the whole world."

"No-hem! hem!-a-hem! I was just suddenly a thinking-now can't you guess, Mr Titmouse?"

"What, Mrs Squallop?" enquired Titmouse, meekly, but anxiously.

"Why-suppose now if it were only to raise ten shillings with old Balls, round the corner, on one of those fine things of yours-your ring, say." [Titmouse's heart sunk within him.] "Well, well-never mind

don't fear," said Mrs Squallop, observing him suddenly turn pale again. "I-I only thought-but never mind! it don't signify-good-night! we can talk about that to-morrow-good-night -a good night's rest to you, Mr Titmouse!" and the next moment he heard her heavy step descending the stairs. Several minutes had elapsed before he could recover from the agitation into which he had been thrown by her last proposal; but within ten minutes of her quitting the room, there stood before him, on the table, an empty plate and jug.

"The beast! the fat old toad!" thought he, the instant that he had finished masticating what had been supplied to him by real charity and good-nature," the vulgar wretch! -the nasty canting old hypocrite! I saw what she was driving at all the while! She had her eye on my ring! She'd have me pawn it at old Balls's-ha, ha! - Catch me! that's all! Seven shillings a-week for this nasty hole! I'll be bound I pay nearly half the rent of the whole house-the old cormorant!-out of what she gets from me! How I hate her! More than half my salary goes into her greasy pocket! Cuss me if I couldn't have kicked her down stairs -porter, bread and cheese, and all

while she was standing canting there! A snivelling old beldam!-Pawn my ring!! - Lord!!" - Here he began to undress. "Ha! I'm up to her; she'll be coming here to-morrow, with that devil Thumbscrew, to distrain, I'll be sworn. Well I'll take care of these, any how;" and, kneeling down and unlocking his trunk, he took out of it his guard-chain, breast-pin, studs, and ring, carefully folded them up in paper, and depositing them in his trowsers' pockets, resolved that henceforth their nightly resting-place should be under his pillow; while during the day they should accompany his person whithersoever he went. Next he bethought himself of the two or three important papers to which Mr Gammon had referred; and, with tremulous eagerness, read them over once or twice, but without being able to extract from them the slightest meaning. Then he folded them up in a half-sheet of writing-paper, which he proceeded to stitch carefully beneath the lining of his waistcoat: after which he blew out his slim candle, and with a heavy sigh got into bed. For some moments after he had blown out the candle did the image of it remain on his aching and excited retina; and just so long did the thoughts of ten thousand a-year dwell on his fancy, fading, however, quickly away amid the thickening gloom of doubts, and fears, and miseries, which oppressed him.There he lies, stretched on his bed, a wretched figure, lying on his breast, his head buried beneath his feverish arms. Anon, he turns round upon his back, stretches his wearied limbs to their uttermost, folds his arms on his breast, then buries them beneath the pillow, under his head. Now he turns on his right side, then on his left-presently he starts up, and with muttered curse shakes his little pillow, flinging it down angrily. He cannot sleep - he cannot rest - he cannot keep still. Bursting with irritability, he gets out of bed, and steps to the window, which opening wide, a slight gush of fresh air cools his hot face for a moment or two. His wearied eye looks upward and beholds the moon shining overhead in cold splendour, turning the clouds to gold as they flit pasther, and shedding a softened lustre upon the tiled roofs and irregular chimneypots-the only objects visible

At that moment there happened to be also gazing at the same glorious object, but at some two hundred miles' distance from London, a somewhat different person, with very different feelings, and in very different circumstances. It was one of the angels of the earth-a pure-hearted and very beautiful young woman; who, after a day of peaceful, innocent, and charitable employment, and having just quitted the piano, where her exquisite strains had soothed and delighted the feelings of her brother, harassed with political anxieties, had retired to her chamber for the night. A few moments before she was presented to the reader, she had extinguished her taper, and dismissed her maid without her having discharged more than half her accustomed duties-telling her that she should finish undressing by the light of the moon, which then poured her soft radiance into every corner of the spacious but old-fashioned chamber in which she sat. Then she drew her chair to the window-recess, and pushing open the window, sat before it, half undressed as she was, her head leaning on her hand, gazing upon the scenery before her with tranquil admiration. Silence reigned absolutely. Not a sound issued from the ancient groves, which spread far and wide on all sides of the fine old mansion in which she dwelt-solemn solitudes, nor yet less soothing than solemn! Was not the solitude enhanced by a glimpse she caught of a restless fawn, glancing in the distance across the avenue, as he silently changed the tree under which he slept? Then the gentle breeze would enter her window, laden with sweet scents of which he had just been rifling the coy flowers beneath, in their dewy repose, tended and petted during the day by her own delicate hand! Beautiful moon!-cold and chaste in thy skyey palace, studded with brilliant and innumerable gems, and shedding down thy rich and ten

der radiance upon this lovely seclusion -was there upon the whole earth a more exquisite countenance then turned towards thee than hers?- Wrap thy white robe, dearest Kate, closer round thy fair bosom, lest the amorous nightbreeze do thee hurt, for he groweth giddy with the sight of thy charms! Thy rich tresses, half-uncurled, are growing damp-so it is time that thy blue eyes should seek repose. Hie thee, then, to yon antique couch, with its quaint carvings and satin draperies dimly visible in the dusky shade, inviting thee to sleep: and having first bent in cheerful reverence before thy Maker-to bed! -to bed! - dear Kate, nothing disturbing thy serene thoughts, or agitating that beautiful bosom. - Hush! hush!- Now she sleeps.

It is well that thine eyes are closed in sleep; for, behold-see!-the brightness without is disappearing; sadness and gloom are settling on the face of nature; the tranquil night is changing her aspect; clouds are gathering, winds are moaning; the moon is gone: - but sleep on, sweet Kate-sleep on, dreaming not of dark days before thee-Oh, that thou couldst sleep on till the brightness returned!

After having stood thus leaning against the window for nearly half an hour, Titmouse, heavily sighing, returned to bed-but there he tossed about in wretched restlessness till nearly four o'clock in the morning. If he now and then sank into forgetfulness for a while, it was only to be harassed by the dreadful image of Mrs Squallop, shouting at him, tearing his hair, cuffing him, flinging a pot of porter in his face, opening his boxes, tossing his clothes about, taking out his invaluable ornaments; by Tag-rag kicking him out of the shop; and Messrs Quirk, Gammon, and Snap dashing past him in a fine carriage, with six horses, and paying no attention to him as he ran shouting and breathless after them; Huckaback following, kicking and pinching him behind. These were the few little bits of different-coloured glass in a mental kaleidoscope, which, turned capriciously round, produce those innumerable fantastic combinations out of the simple and ordinary events of the day, which we call dreams-tricks of the wild sisters Fancy, when sober Reason has left her seat for a while. But this is fitter for the Royal Society than the bedroom of Tittlebat Titmouse; and I beg the reader's pardon. About six o'clock, Titmouse rose and dressed himself; and, slipping noiselessly and swiftly down stairs, and out of the court, in order to avoid all possibility of encountering his landlady or his tailor, soon found himself in Oxford Street. Not many people were stirring there. One or two men who passed him were smoking their morning's pipe, with a half-awakened air, as if they had only just got out of a snug bed, in which they always slept every moment that they lay upon it. Titmouse almost envied them! What a squalid figure he looked, as he paced up and down, till at length he saw the porter of Messrs Dowlas & Co. opening the shop-door. He soon entered it, and commenced another joyous day in that delightful establishment. The amiable Mr Tag-rag continued unaltered.

"You're at liberty to take yourself off, sir, this very day-this moment, sir; and a good riddance," said he, bit. terly, during the course of the day, after demanding of Titmouse how he dared to give himself such sullen airs; " and then we shall see how charming easy it is for gents like you to get an other sitiwation, sir! Your looks and manner is quite a recommendation, sir! If I was you, sir, I'd raise my terms! You're worth double what I give, sir!" Titmouse made no reply. "What the d-1 do you mean, sir, by not answering me eh, sir?" suddenly demanded Tag-rag, with a look of fury.

"I don't know what you'd have me say, sir. What am I to say, sir?" enquired Titmouse, with a sigh.

"What, indeed! I should like to catch you! Say, indeed! Only say a word-and out you go, neck and crop. Attend to that old lady coming in, sir. And mind, sir, I've got my eye on you!" Titmouse did as he was bid; and Tag-rag, a bland smile beaming in his attractive features, hurried down towards the door, to receive some lady-customers, whom he observed alighting from a carriage; and at that moment you would have sworn that he was one of the kindest-hearted, sweetest-tempered men in the world.

When at length this day had come

to a close, Titmouse, instead of re. pairing to his lodgings, set off, with a heavy heart, to pay a visit to his excellent friend Huckaback, whom he knew to have received his quarter's salary the day before, and from whom he faintly hoped to succeed in extorting some triffing loan. "If you want to learn the value of money, try to borrow some," says Poor Richard-and Titmouse was now going to learn that useful but bitter lesson. Oh, how disheartening was that gentleman's reception of him! Huckaback, in answering the modest knock of Titmouse, suspecting who was his visiter, opened the door but a little way, and in that little way, with his hand on the latch, he stood, with a plainly repulsive look. "Oh! it's you, Titmouse, is it?" he commenced, coldly.

"Yes, I-I just want to speak a word to you-only a word or two, Hucky, if you aren't busy?"

"Why, I was just going to go-but what d'ye want, Titmouse?" he enquired, in a freezing manner, not stirring from where he stood.

"Let me come inside a minute," implored Titmouse, feeling as if his heart were really dropping out of him: and, in a most ungracious manner, Huckaback motioned him in.

"Well," commenced Huckaback, with a chilling distrustful look.

"Why, Huck, I know you're a good-natured chap-you couldn't, just for a short time, lend me ten shill".

"No, I'm hang'd if I can; and that's flat!" briskly interrupted Huckaback, finding his worst suspicions confirmed.

"Why, Hucky, wasn't you only yesterday paid your salary?"

"Well! suppose I was? - what then? You're a monstrous cool hand, Titmouse! I never!! So I'm to lend to you, when I'm starving myself! I've received such a lot, haven't I!"

"I thought we'd always been friends, Hucky," said Titmouse, faintly; "and so we shouldn't mind helping one another a bit! Don't you remember, I lent you half-a-crown?"

"Half-a-crown!-and that's nine months ago!"

"Do, Hucky, do! I've positively not a sixpence in the whole world."

"Ha, ha! A pretty chap to borrow! You can pay so well! By George, Titmouse, you're a cool hand."

"If you won't lend me, I must starve."

"Go to my uncle's." [Titmouse groaned aloud.] "Well-and why not? What of that?" continued Huckaback, sharply and bitterly. " I dare say it wouldn't be the first time you've done such a trick, no more than me. I've been obligated to do it. Why shouldn't you? Ain't there that ring?"

"Oh, Lord! oh, Lord! that's just what Mrs Squallop said last night."

"Whew! She's down on you, is she! And you've the face to come to me! You that's a-going to be sold up, come to borrow! Lord, that's good, any how! A queer use that to make of one's friends; -it's a taking of them in, I say !"

"Oh, Huck, Huck, if you only knew what a poor devil"

"Yes, that's what I was a-saying; but it ain't poor devils one lends money to so easily, I warrant me; though you ain't such a poor devilyou're only shamming! Where's your guard-chain, your studs, your breastpin, your ring, and all that. Sell 'em! if not, any how, pawn 'em. Can't eat your cake and have it; fine back must have empty belly with us sort of chaps."

"If you'll only be so kind as to lend me ten shillings," continued Titmouse, in an imploring tone, "I'll bind myself, by a solemn oath, to pay you the very first moment I get what's due to me from Dowlas & Co." Here he was almost choked by the sudden recollection that he had almost certainly nothing to receive.

"You've some property in the moon, too, that's coming to you, you know!" said Huckaback, with an insulting sneer.

"I know what you're driving at," said poor Titmouse; and he continued eagerly, " and if any thing should ever come up from Messrs Quirk, Gam"

"Yough! Faugh! Pish! Stuff!" burst out Huckaback, in a tone of contempt and disgust; "never thought there was any thing in it, and now know it! It's all in my eye, and all that!"

"Oh, Hucky, Hucky! You don't say so!" groaned Titmouse, bursting into tears; "you didn't always say so." "It's enough that I say it now, then; will that do?" interrupted Huckaback, impetuously.

"Oh, Lord, Lord! what is to become of me?" cried Titmouse, with a face full of anguish.

[At this moment, the following was the course of thought passing through the mind of Mr Huckaback: It is not certain that nothing will come of the fellow's affair with Messrs Quirk, Gammon, and Snap. It was hardly likely that they would have gone as far as Titmouse represented (lawyers as they were), unless they had seen very substantial grounds for doing so. Besides, even though Titmouse might not get ten thousand a-year, he might yet succeed in obtaining very splendid sum of money; and if he (Huckaback) could but get a little slice out of it, Titmouse was now nearly desperate, and would promise any thing; and if he could but be wheedled in to giving any thing in writing-Well, thought Huckaback, I'll try it, however!]

a

"Ah, Titmouse, you're civil enough now, and would promise any thing,' said Huckaback, appearing to hesitate; "but when you got your money you'd forget."

"Forget my promise! Dear Hucky! only try me-do try me but once, that's all! Ten shillings is worth more to me now than a hundred pounds may be by-and-by."

"Ay, so you say, now; but d'ye mean to tell me, that if I was now to advance you ten shillings out of my poor little salary," continued Huckaback, apparently carelessly, "you'd, for instance, pay me a hundred pounds out of your thousands?"

"Only try me-do try me!" said Titmouse eagerly.

"Oh, I dare say," interrupted Huckaback, smiling incredulously, and chinking some money in his trowsers' pocket. Titmouse heard it, and (as the phrase is) his teeth watered; and he immediately swore such a tremendous oath as I dare not set down in writing, that if Huckaback would that evening lend him ten shillings, Titmouse would give him one hundred pounds out of the very first monies he got from the estate.

" Ten shillings is a slapping slice out of my little salary-I shall have, by George, to go without a many things I'd intended getting; it's worth ten pounds to me, just now."

"Why, 'tis worth a hundred to me! Mrs Squallop will sell me out, bag and