kind of quiet dignity and yet with courtesy; cheerfully, but without either bluster or cringing, delivered up his keys and other matters into my hands; and expressed his desire to make me as comfortable as his present circumstances would permit. He then conducted me from his counting-house to his parlour, and introduced me to his wife as "the gentleman whom they had expected from London, and who, for a time, would be their guest."

Mrs. G-, like her husband, was a little past middle age, and her hair, like his, was slightly streaked with grey. She received me kindly, and, if there was a tear in her eye, there was also a quiet smile on her countenance, which I did not think much about then, but which struck me afterwards as being a very peaceful smile.

I knew but little of the Bible at that time, and I cared less than I knew, but I have learned since then to value it and study it; and there are two passages in it which I never read or hear without thinking how exactly they applied to Mr. and Mrs. G-. The first of these passages is, "Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them."* The other is, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.†

I had no thought about texts, however, when Mrs. Gwas preparing refreshments for me after my long journey, after showing me to the room which was, for a time, to be mine, that I might refresh myself with a good wash, as she said.

I must not forget that the G-'s had two daughters and one son at home; but lest I should make my story too long I must pass them over, by merely saying that they were interesting young people; and, though evidently cast down by the unexpected reverses which had suddenly fallen upon them, they made no show of their grief, but went about their regular duties from day to day, as though nothing extraordinary had happened. But I have not done with the first day yet.

It is scarcely necessary to say that, before I had been a quarter of an hour in the house, I had made good use of my eyes. I had, for instance, taken a kind of mental inventory of Mr. G-'s stock in trade, and had appraised in like manner the furniture of the rooms into which I had been admitted, and I formed my opinion accordingly. I Isa. xxxii. 17.

*Psa. cxix. 165.

might be mistaken, certainly, but, even at that early time, I could have been tolerably positive, that neither neglect of business, nor domestic extravagance, had contributed to the ruin of that family. How I arrived at this conclusion I cannot explain in words; but I knew then, as I know now, that I was not often very far wrong in these first impressions.

My first duty was an unpleasant one; I had to take an inventory of everything in the house; but as it was late when I arrived, I had necessarily to put this off till the next day. Perhaps I was not sorry for this. Indeed I may as well say that I was glad of it, as it would give the ruined man and his family an opportunity of putting their rooms in order, and if they chose to do this, and had not already exercised that forethought, of putting out of sight, in a quiet sort of way, any small personalities which they might wish to preserve from the general wreck. I am aware that this was winking at dishonesty, and I do not justify it; I am only telling my story faithfully, however much it may militate against myself and my unpleasant profession.

It was evening then, and at nine o'clock I was invited to join the family at the supper table. After the meal was over, my host (as I shall call Mr. G-) said, "It is our custom, Mr. T, to close the day with family prayer. you wish to retire you can do so, of course; but if you will remain, we shall be pleased by your uniting with us."

If

Of course I did not retire, though I felt annoyed; I had no desire to be "bored with religion." This feeling was strong in my mind when Mr. G― reached a Bible and began reading a chapter from one of the Gospels. But there was another feeling paramount even to distaste; it was the suspicion that this was done as a blind, and that I had to deal with a man who, under the garb of religion, would be sure to try his hardest to cheat his creditors.

I kept turning this over in my thoughts all the time Mr. G was reading the Scriptures; and, when I knelt down with the family for the prayer, I mentally turned every humble confession and earnest petition, and grateful acknowledgment, into ridicule, saying to myself, "If the man thinks I am going to be taken in with this show of piety, he is mistaken; I am not quite a fool."

The more fervently Mr. G- prayed, therefore, the more determinately I set him down as a hypocrite; and when,

in the course of his petitions, he referred to "the stranger then for the first time worshipping at that family altar," I smiled to think how such blandishments would fail in their intention. In short, I retired to rest that night with as strong a prejudice against my host as I had ever conceived against any person with whom I had to deal under similar circumstances, and with a firm determination to keep an untiring watch over every member of the family, as indeed I was in duty bound to do in the interests of my employers.

The next day I commenced my unpleasant business early, as early as I conveniently could, by going through the entire house, and taking down in my book every article of property it contained. It was an odious occupation; I felt it to be so then; I think it more so now, as I look back upon the past. But I went on with my task, which was lightened by the assistance of Mrs. G- and her daughters. There certainly did not appear to be any wish for concealment; nor could I venture to guess (with all my determination to suspect) that there had been any previous concealment of property. So far, certainly, everything seemed open and straightforward.

more

At last, when I had supposed I had taken down almost all my inventory, Mrs. G- brought to me a tray laden with articles of jewellery, three or four watches, and a quantity of old-fashioned plate. Except for its weight as old silver, the plate was of little value; and I had previously catalogued a smaller quantity that was modern. Two of the watches were modern, though as I judged of no great value; the other two were ancient gold watches. The jewellery, consisting of a few brooches and rings, were such as might be supposed suitable for the personal adornment of the females of the family. I was particular in noting all this before I spoke; and I also observed that the plate was all marked with initials which had nothing to do with the bankrupt's name, and with a date nearly eighty years back.

I had no business to ask the question; but my curiosity was excited, and I said, “What is all this?"

The explanation was readily given the two old-fashioned watches and the equally old-fashioned plate were family relics which had descended to Mrs. G-; the initials on them were those of her grandfather, who was a man of considerable wealth; the two modern watches and jewel

lery were the property of her daughters, which they had, from time to time, received from their parents.

Why do you bring them to me?" I asked.

"We consider that they rightfully belong to our creditors," said the bankrupt's wife, quietly; "they are not necessaries; they were purchased, indeed, when we thought we could afford to make presents to our children; but, possibly, it was wrong

"Not at all," said I, quickly.

"But, wrong or right," continued Mrs. G―, our daughters think that it would be wrong to retain them when

"Um! and about this plate? why did you bring it to me?" "Sir?"

"You know of course that I must put that down?" "Yes, sir."

"But" (and I uttered an exclamation of impatience) "why were you so stupid? begging your pardon, madam. There was no occasion for me to know anything about this; and some people, in your circumstances, would have considered this to be a-a-a kind of personal property, belonging solely to the wife, with which the husband's creditors have no concern."

Sir," said the Christian woman, laying her hand on my arm, and looking me calmly in the face, though I could see that tears were in her eyes; "sir, we have not so learned Christ."

I remained a considerable time in that house. I never ceased watching Mr. G-, and his wife, and his son, and his daughters. They did not know that they were watched; for I must have seemed to them to be as careless and indifferent as a man in my circumstances could be. But I watched them all.

At first I was determined to find out the deception which I felt sure existed-some flaw, at least, in their religious consistency. But I could not; all was so fair and "aboveboard" with them. Then I watched them in a sort of enforced admiration of their temper and conduct under trials and reverses. I saw temper severely tried (I need not say how), but I never could trace a departure from the spirit and example of Christ; and from suspecting and disliking, I came very soon to admire and love that family. I learned enough, too, of the causes of Mr. G-'s bankruptcy, to con

vince me that neither dishonesty, negligence, nor imprudence had any share in it. I was glad of this; it was almost my first experience of the kind.

I need scarcely say that while I remained in that house, the practice of family devotion was kept up, with additional fervour, it may be, because of the present troubles; but I may say that, ere long, I felt no disposition to absent myself. More than this, the Bible which Mrs. G— had placed in my room, or which, at any rate, I had found there on first entering it, was, at length, studied by me with a sincere desire and prayer for Divine illumination. I had "marked the perfect man and beheld the upright," and I sought to know that "secret of the Lord" which is with them that fear him. I sought it, and I found it.

My enforced residence in Mr. G-'s house at length_came to a close. I was no longer required there, and I was wanted elsewhere. On the eve of my departure I asked for a private interview with my host.

"I wish to ask you a question, sir," said I, when we were by ourselves: "have you seen any difference in me

since I first came here ?"

"I think I have, Mr. T-, indeed I am sure I have. But why do you ask?"

"I will tell you, sir," I replied; "since I have lived with you. and observed you from day to day, I have been convinced of what I never before believed, that there is reality in religion; I have, sir, indeed; and "--I had more, much more, to say, but my feelings choked my utterance, and I could only add, sobbing with mingled sorrow and joy," and I shall bless God, through all eternity, that I ever knew you; for, from this time, as God shall help me, your people shall be my people, your Saviour my Saviour, your God my God."

For one moment Mr. G-looked at me keenly, and yet with a bewildered gaze; and then tears burst from his eyes, and clasping his hands, he uttered, in a broken voice:

"I see it now; I understand it now. My God! My Father! I thank thee that I became a bankrupt !"

It is not necessary to my story; but I may as well add that Mr. G-'s bankruptcy was eventually annulled, that his creditors received payment in full, and that his after course was prosperous.