fir-grove.

I'll take your word for a city merchant another time, Edward: you perfectly know them I find, if I may take Mr. Bertills as a specimen of the whole body; but no doubt there are some exceptions. – That gentleman arrived here yesterday, and I think he exactly answers your description. I am infinitely pleased with him already. He has not, yet, developed his designs, with respect to Charles; but, I verily believe, he means to act in a friendly, generous manner. – Were you an eye witness of his behaviour, I am certain you would coincide with me in that opinion. I only wish our friend possessed a larger share of patience; his uneasy doubts appear to me wholly unnecessary; and, I hope, he will yet have reason to blush for his rash judgment of/Mr. Bertills. He yielded to its dictates more yesterday than ever he had done before; so you may suppose we were neither of us in an enviable situation when the carriage stopped at the door. Charles, however, mustered up some small degree of fortitude; and, with me, went into the hall, just as Mr. Ber-tills was alighting. He bowed to me, took Charles affectionately by the hand, but could not speak. The door of the dining-parlour stood open; he rushed hastily into it; and, the moment he entered, leaned his arm against the wainscot for support, and burst into tears; nor could either of us avoid being affected. It was some time before Mr. Bertills recovered so far as to be able to ‘Would to heaven, my dear Charles,’ said he, ‘that we had met under happier auspices; I should then have said I rejoice to see you: but the will of God be done!’

A solemn pause ensued. – Mr. Bertills wept again, accompanied by our friend.