starting to London, and Joseph being under the necessity of being in the office of the paper with which he was connected that night by eleven o'clock, said he was obliged to go; and quitted the house, begging Boniface to see that every care was taken of Mr. Snatchem.

Joseph had not been many minutes gone, before Mr. Snatchem began to recover from his fright, and to regain his wonted composure of mind. In a few hours he was so far recovered as to be able to return to town by the mail, which passed through Windsor in the course of the night.

Next morning Joseph hurried to Mr. O'Brien's lodgings, to relate to him the extraordinary adventure he had had with Mr. Snatchem. Mr. O'Brien was so convulsed with laughter at the romantic relation as to be unable, for some time, to utter a word. When his

paroxysm of laughter had so far passed away as to admit of his conversing with Joseph, he acquainted him with the hoax he had played on "Old

Snatchem," when he came to intimate his determination to take peremptory proceedings against both for the non-payment of the bill. "Of course," he added, "when Snatchem knows the trick which has been played at his expense, he'll show us no mercy."

"Oh, we don't require it now," said Joseph; "when I returned last night, I found a cheque from Mr. Crompton, for £65, the sum he owed. me. Here it is," said Joseph, handing Mr. O'Brien the cheque.

"Heaven be praised for that," said the latter. "Let us cash it, and take up the bill immediately."

"It may be done in five minutes. It is payable at Coutts' bank, which is not a minute's walk from this," remarked Joseph.

The cheque was forthwith cashed, and Mr. O'Brien sent the money with a friend to Mr. Snatchem, apologising to him for the hoax which had been played off at his expense; and urging as the reason why it had been practised, that

neither himself nor Mr. Jenkins could advance a single sixpence to meet the bill when it became due, and that he (Mr. O'Brien) knew of no other means by which they could induce him (Mr. Snatchem) to grant them the requisite indulgence.

CHAPTER XII.

Joseph visits Mr. Lovegood-Conversation with Mr. Lovegood-Conversation between the latter and his daughterMr. Lovegood's death and character.

SEVERAL months had elapsed during which Joseph and Mr. Lovegood had not met; and the former, one morning, having begun to reproach himself for allowing so long an interval to pass, without calling on one to whom he felt so deeply indebted, of whose friendship he continued to feel a growing sense, and for whose general character, though not sharing in his views as regarded the practical parts of religion, he felt an increasing admiration— determined to atone for his past omission, by calling more frequently in future on Mr. Lovegood. Joseph also made up his mind to call that

morning on him. On arriving at his residence, and knocking at the door, he was informed by the housemaid, that Mr. Lovegood had been for some days complaining of illness; but that if he would give his name-for, being a new servant, she knew nothing of Joseph-she would mention who was inquiring for him. Joseph handed his card to the maid, who immediately went upstairs with it. She returned in a few seconds, and said that Mr. Lovegood wished particularly to see him. Joseph accordingly proceeded to Mr. Lovegood's bedroom, and was pained at finding he was confined to his bed. Mr. Lovegood expressed the greatest gratification at seeing Joseph again, and intimated his regret that he should be such a stranger. After a few words of general conversation, Joseph renewed the expression of deep concern which he had made on first shaking hands with Mr. Lovegood, at finding him so ill. The latter remarked, that sickness was incident to humanity; and that, consequently, nothing had happened in his case