CHAP. XI.

Slow as life glides in gentle gale

Pretended friendship waits on power,

But early quits the borrow'd veil,

When adverse fortune shifts the sail,

And hastens to devour.

TRANSLATION.

IT

T was evening before Mr. Henley returned; and when he did, it was in the worst spirits imaginable, as he had learned that his partner had early that morning absconded, and had taken with him all that could be converted into cash. This

was

was indeed a dreadful stroke, for they were left, in fact, without the means of daily subsistence. With regard to a lodging, he had been unsuccessful; for what, from their appearance, might have answered, were exorbitantly high rented; others, that might have suited in point of rent, were such miserable looking places, that he could not brook the idea of thus disposing of his family. What was therefore to be done, was difficult to decide. At length Adeliza proposed going, the next morning, with Mrs. Henley; as she said she was sure she was equal to this undertaking, provided they went in a coach, and kept her arm in a sling. In the meantime Mr. Henley was to go into the city among his friends, and, if possible, endeavour to prevent the total ruin of his family.

After some hours spent in fruitless search by Adeliza and Mrs. Henley, the former discovered a bill upon a house, which, from the outward appearance of it, did not threaten to be too expensive. Pulling the check-string, the coach stopped, and the party alighted. On knocking at the door, it was opened by a clean-looking elderly woman, who civilly begged them to walk in.

Upon enquiry, they found that she had a second floor to let, consisting of three rooms; that the first floor she occupied herself, and in the upper one lived an old gentleman. She added that he was extremely quiet, and never was visited by any one. The apartments now shewn, were two bed-rooms, and a small sitting one; the furniture clean, but this was its only recommendation,

recommendation, and the terms fifteen

shillings a week.

Pleased with the civil deportment of the woman of the house, they agreed to engage the lodging. This business settled, the friends returned home, exhausted and weary. There they found several people waiting for the payment of small bills; the disastrous events that had taken place in the family, having already transpired.

Here was a fresh source of uneasiness; for Mr. Henley was not yet returned from the city, and Mrs. Henley could not satisfy their various demands: but this difficulty was soon obviated by Adeliza, who immediately (after having taken the liberty of examining the accounts, and finding the whole debts did not exceed forty pounds) went up stairs,

and brought

down. the money; and, in discharging these

clamorous people, and thereby relieving a friend, felt more real satisfaction than she had ever before experienced.

Extremely fatigued by the events of the day, Adeliza, without much difficulty, was persuaded to lie down. Mr. Henley returned in rather better spirits. He had seen some friends, who flattered him that, in a very short time, his affairs would come round, but for the present he was advised to let things take their own course; at least, till the extent of the mischief done by his dishonest partner, could be exactly ascertained, which must, at the shortest time, take up a month, if not two.

"And during this lingering suspense," said Henley with anguish, "my family may starve-Oh heavens! what a wretch am I-unworthy the sacred title of husband or father!-Before to-morrow morning,"

continued