it, and find it, I'll take both you and the box away together.'

Take a glass of spirits-and-water, Mr. Flower,' said the Jew.

'Well, I will,' said Flower, 'on the lid of that writing-box; fish both the box and the grog up at one dive -they are both in this room.'

The Jew opened an iron chest, in which he kept the title-deeds of estates mortgaged to him, bonds, promissory and bank notesjewels, gold and silver, and other valuables; and from this chest the Jew reluctantly brought out the writing-desk that Nelson had stolen from Emily's bed-room. He then produced a case bottle, and a tumbler, which Flower half filled with liquor.

'Ikey,' said Flower, after he had refreshed himself with the gin, I am awfully hard up. Lendus a flimsy. I don't want to be hard with you, Ikey. Make it a fifty; for which I'll give you my verbal promissory note, payable, with interest.'

'Mr. Flower,' said the Jew, 'I always had a great respect for you, and I've often felt sorry that you didn't belong to our persuasion.'

'Don't flatter me, Ikey,' said Flower, or you'll make me vain, and vanity is a bad thing; so stump up the money, and let me go.'

The Jew again visited the iron chest, and produced a bank note for 501. Having satisfied himself that it was not a bad one, Flower proceeded to Emily's cottage, which was not very far distant from where the Jew then lived.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE next day Roberts was placed at the bar of the Police Office. Flower was in the court, and made a deposition to the following effect:- I, George Flower, police constable, hereby make oath and say, that this deponent met the prisoner at the bar in a house in Castlereagh-street on the night of the 26th instant. That this deponent took the prisoner into custody, and found upon his person a pocket-handkerchief and a pipe, here produced; that this deponent, after apprehending the prisoner, who is an assigned servant of Mr. Dawson of Campbell Town, proceeded to his master, and inquired

whether he had any charge to bring forward against him, beyond that of absconding from his employ, and this deponent states that the said Mr. Dawson told this deponent that he had no charge whatever to bring forward against the prisoner in this court.'

'Did he make any resistance, Flower?' inquired the magistrate.

'None whatever, your worship,' said Flower; he's a poor harmless wretch, led away, I fancy.'

I suppose fifty lashes would do for him," said the magistrate.

'I don't think he could stand fifty,' said Flower. The mill and the Carter's Barracks crop would suit his circumstances better, your worship, I think. As he has never run away before, seven days, perhaps, would be a sufficient lesson.'

Roberts was accordingly sentenced to seven days' hard labour on the tread mill, and was forthwith removed to Carter's Barracks, where, preparatory to entering upon his punishment, his hair was cut as closely as possible with a pair of very sharp shears.

Flower made an excuse to Emily for her husband's absence, by saying that he had gone up to Campbell Town, to get his clothes from Mr. Dawson's; and meanwhile Flower negotiated the transfer.'

When Roberts came off the mill, Flower went down to Carter's Barracks to receive him. Holloa, Captain!' cried he, 'you are now my assigned servant, and I'm going to leave you down at that house in Castlereagh-street, just to look after the premises. Come along.'

While they were walking down the road, Flower harangued Roberts: 'Don't suppose, you miserable thief,' he thus began, that you are going to lead a life of idleness. Quite the contrary. I intend to make you work. I shall let you out to an attorney for three pounds a-week, and if ever you absent yourself from office-and I shall keep a sharp look out upon you-I'll dust your jacket with this cane, and you know how it makes you tingle, don't you?' And fearing that Roberts's memory might be treacherous on this head, he gave him several smart blows on the calves of his legs, which made the convict dance in the street and

1853.]

cry for mercy. And if ever you say one word to your wife of how I serve you,' said Flower, 'you'll be missing some fine morning, and no one will ever hear anything more about you. By the bye, what plausible reason can you assign to your wife for that blacking-brush condition of your infamous poll, you pettifogging blackguard, you?'

'I'll say I had a stroke of the sun,' said Roberts, and was obliged to get my head shaved the other day.'

'Capital!' cried Flower; 'if I'd known you'd have been so ready as that, I'd have spared you that stroke of the cane which I gave you just now. There's another thing I wish to say to you,' continued Flower'Never ask your wife for money, and if she offers you any, don't take it. If I find you disobeying me in this, I'll flog you within an inch of your life. And don't you allow any of your acquaintances ever to come inside the house where your wife is -do you hear? And see that the garden is weeded with your own hands, and everything kept in proper order. I shall come down pretty often, just to see how you're getting on, you know. You understand me, Captain ?'

Oh yes,' said Roberts, and I'm very much obliged to you, Mr. Flower, and you'll find that my conduct will be most exemplary, I assure you, and in the end you will discover that I have not been, and that I am not, anything like so bad as you at present conceive.'

I don't wish to have any of your talk,' returned Flower; and as for my kindness to you, I give you to understand that you're under no obligations to me whatsoever. I tell you plainly, that if I had my will, I'd hang you this very day.'

CHAPTER XVII.

NOTHING could exceed the propriety of Roberts's behaviour for two or three months. Flower hired him out, as he threatened, to an attorney, at a salary of 150l. a year. Roberts, it was discovered, had a very good insight into the art of special pleading and the principles of conveyancing. In short, Charles Roberts was a very clever fellow, and could do an immense deal of work, when

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he was so disposed, in a very short time. His salary was drawn every week by Flower, and duly handed over to Emily, who increased this income by giving lessons in music and dancing. Roberts had provided himself with becoming apparel, and his external appearance once more resembled that of a gentleman. Though Flower hated Roberts with the same intensity as ever, he had nevertheless no fault to find with him, and he rejoiced beyond measure to see Emily so happy and so comfortable in her small abode. But at the end of these three months, Roberts began to weary of leading a steady and virtuous life. He was afraid of Flower while he continued Flower's assigned servant; and he did not dare to indulge in the slightest irregularity so long as he was owned by so firm and powerful a master. He therefore begged Emily to request Flower to transfer him to herself, and thus make him his own wife's assigned servant.

One evening, when Flower went down to visit Mrs. Harcourt (although Roberts was called by his proper name, his wife continued to be called Mrs. Harcourt), she proposed this transfer of her husband.

6

My dear madam,' said Flower, it would end in your own misery. What hold, I should like to know, would you have upon him?'

'What hold!' cried Emily, 'what stronger hold can there be than my affection for him, and his affection for me? Ah! George Flower, you don't know dear Reginald! If you only knew what a kind, good, generous, noble-minded, single-hearted creature he really is, you would not think so harshly of him as you now seem to do.'

'My dear madam,' returned Flower, I know that your husband is all that you have described him ; but in my opinion it would be as well if matters were allowed to stand as they now are. See how happy

you are. sire ?'

What more can you de

"Yes, it is very true, George, and I ought to be, and I am, very grateful indeed for all your goodness to me, and to my unfortunate, innocent Reginald; but, oh! if you would grant me this request,' said Emily.

Ah, you were never so obstinate before,' she began. Of late you seem quite changed. You seldom visit us now, and when you do, you only stay a few minutes.'

Obstinate!' exclaimed Flower. 'Obstinate! I'd go through fire and brimstone to do you a service; but to grant what you now ask would be downright madness.'

Then you mean to tell me that dear Reginald is not to be trusted?' said Emily.

'No, I do not say that.'

Then what can be your objection ?'

'It would be unlucky, Mrs. Harcourt.'

Unlucky! ah! you are trifling with me.' And Emily's eyes filled with tears.

Flower's heart was again touched by her tears; he immediately agreed to Emily's proposition, and expressed his sorrow that he had refused her in the first instance.

Roberts came home shortly after this, and Flower exchanged civilities with him, and presently asked Roberts to accompany him to look at a horse which Flower said he was about to buy.

And so you wish to be transferred to your wife, do you? Oh, I should like to break your bones!' said Flower, when they were out of Emily's hearing.

It is her own wish, I assure you, on my honour,' said Roberts.

'On your honour?' said Flower, and he kicked Roberts several times with great severity.

I assure you it is her own thought, her own wish,' Roberts repeated.

In his violent anger Flower lost his presence of mind, and instead of beating Roberts, as was his wont, in such a way as to leave no visible marks, he struck him a heavy blow

in the face, which laid open Roberts' upper lip.

Roberts took out his lawn pockethandkerchief, and applied it to his mouth, which was now bleeding profusely.

Turn upon me, you spaniel dog, you contemptible forger, you thief!" cried Flower. Turn upon me→ strike me in return-throw a stone at me, do-do something that will justify me in pounding the breath out of your dastardly body.'

Strike my deliverer, my benefactor?' said Roberts. No, Mr. Flower, whatever may be my sins, I am not ungrateful.'

'Oh, heavens!' groaned Flower. 'And things like you are called men! Now, don't look at me in that cringing way, or I'll gouge both of your eyes out, I will. My blood is up, and I am thirsting to avenge the wrongs of that lady, by tearing you to pieces.' And with these words Flower gnashed his teeth, and seized Roberts by the hair, and shook him, with the boisterous ferocity of an excited fiend. I'll be in at your death yet,' gasped Flower, exhausted by passion, I will. I feel it. I will! I will! I will!'

CHAPTER XVIII.

FLOWER abstained from visiting Emily for several days. He intended to keep his promse, that he would transfer her husband; but he wished to delay doing so until the last moment. Besides, Flower was not quite satisfied that Roberts would, on this occasion, conceal from Emily the rough handling to which he had been subjected; and this formed an additional reason for staying away. At length Emily wrote to Flower, and begged him to come and see her, as she had something very particular to say to him. It was curious to observe the sudden changes in the expression of Flower's countenance when he read Emily's note. first a very pleasing smile-a smile which was called up by affectionate regard and pity-played over his fine bold features; then came a scowl and compressed lips, while his eyes seemed to flash fire; and then, when he again looked at Emily's hand-writing, the kind smile re

At

1853.]

It was just as Flower expected. The 'something very particular' was the transfer.' Emily had reasons, she said, for having it effected at once; and the delay that had already occurred, she added, had made her quite nervous and ill. Flower went down upon his knees and implored her to forego her demand, and passionately, but tenderly, uplifting his hands, assured her that she was asking him to sign the warrant for Roberts's ruin and her own eternal wretchedness. Mrs. Harcourt!' he exclaimed, must I tell you the truth? Yes, you drive me to do so. Your husband is not what you think him, not what you have described him to be. His outside is like that of a gentleman; but within he is low, and tainted with the ideas and habits that belong only to the very dregs of mankind.'

Mr. Flower!' said Emily, indignantly, do you imagine that Captain Harcourt would deceive

me?'

'How can you be so blind, so childishly simple, as to be imposed upon by that man, when the very proofs of his deceit are ever before your eyes?' said Flower. 'Did he not tell you that he was a captain in a dragoon regiment, and that he had never done any work in his life until he came to this country ?'

Nor had he, Mr. Flower.'

Then how comes it that he is, suddenly, the best lawyer in Sydney? How comes it that, if you will only let him remain as he now is, he shall earn 500l. a year, but that if he

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is freed from my authority he will not earn a shilling himself, but drain you of all your little hardearned savings to gratify his low and inborn tastes ?'

'Mr. Flower!' again cried Emily, indignantly.

Mrs. Harcourt, hear me!' returned Flower.

No, Mr. Flower, this is a mere pretext,' said Emily. 'You made me a promise, and now you wish to break it.' She wept and sobbed violently.

Don't cry, Mrs. Harcourt, don't cry, I cannot stand that,' said Flower. I did not mean to hurt your feelings.'

Then why did you slander poor Reginald? It is hard enough to be convicted when innocent, and sent to this horrid country, and debarred the comforts of his former life, without being vilified in such a dreadful

manner.

'Yes, but don't cry any more. What I said was meant for your own good, you know,' said Flower.

As for being suddenly the best lawyer in Sydney,' said Emily, why, of course he is. Reginald is so clever that he could learn anything quickly. He would be the best doctor in a month, if he were to study medicine; or the best anything that he gave his mind to for a little time. You do not know Reginald, Mr. Flower.'

'I'm afraid I do not,' said Flower. 'You are determined that I shall transfer him to you ?'

'Yes,' said Emily.

Then the day after to-morrow the deed shall be done,' said Flower.