Fashion and Famine

coiled with

jaw and

careless wil

m from his n

a bird. Now and then he paused to brush the moisture from his coat. Once he fell into thought, and stood for more than a minute with his eyes beat up

cester, starting, "I hope the

see if the young gentleman was

ng gentle

ir. I told him you left no word, and might be in

eicester, but he checked a visible i

asy chair. One cheek lay against the crimson dressing-gown, which Leicester had flung across the back of this chair on going out. The other was warmed to a rich rose tint by the heat. His lips, red and lustrous as over-ripe cherries, were just parted, till the faintest gleam of his teeth became visible. The lad was

e rich tints that filled the room floated around him, like the atmosphere in a warmly toned picture. Leicester observed this, as he entered the room, and, wit

stretched himself more indolently, and, while one of his hands fell down, began to breathe deep and freely ag

nement in selfishness, forbade the abridgment of a pleasurable sensation, however ill-timed it might be. The boy smiled in his sl

youth. He gazed on, but his eye grew vicious in its expression, as if he were beginning to loathe the youth for the innocence

were stirred up in his heart-pure as some memories of youth ever must be, even though breaking through a nature vile as his-like water-lilies dragged up from the depths of a dark pool. Those memories disturbed the very dregs of his heart, and when thus dis

upon each new posture assumed by the sleeping boy. His own youth rose before him in the presence of youth asleep. He made a powerful effort at self-control. He said to his thought, so far shalt thou go and no farther. But the light which gleamed across the thr

. The boy still smiled in his sleep. Leicester could no longer endure this blooming human life,

ber

e gray eyes to their fullest extent.-"Really, I must have been asleep in your chair

ster, with a sort of chilly sadness. "

on the mantel-piece, and his eyes

was that," he said. "It

tty, then?" was t

alks about. Such fruit, ripe, luscious, and bursting with fragrance-flowers moist with dew, and fairly drip

o doubt," said Leicester, q

enly. That lovely cre

g himself in the easy chair, and bringing the boy do

that is certain. Then the dream-but one n

ear one

y-wish me away-wel

alk of something bes

The boy's ch

believe. Now tell me what you have been d

seems impossible to thank yo

m raised you

t ventured to

on confiden

to deserve it," answ

ank honesty of this speec

ou in things of importance-wit

some

ave attended to the lessons I gave you. Without faul

ot be displeased wi

should you fall short in anything, after the

ver will if study and hard work will su

tell me about your compa

sir, how can

he salary is

act, I suppose it is larg

work all

ourse

twice-nay, three times

the boy, thoughtfully,

s than many of those above

, Mr. Leicester?" said the youth

of that warm young heart. "You have abilities of a high order, industry, talent, everything requisite for success-but remember, Robert, the reward for

at with integrity and close application, I should be sure to succeed like others," he sai

hat, R

one of our clerks, no older than I am, was promoted only last week. His father was a ri

hen, what m

money, more than people imagine, I da

market? Take my advice, Rob

t?" questio

might not be considered the most aristocratic

nce; his eye kindled and

of my aunt, sir. She is

any honest occupation a cause of reproach, is to be condemned by all honorable men. But you and I, Robert, cannot hope to change the present order of t

eeks hot with wounded feeling, and his eyes half full of

h I must say it seems rather cold-hearted. I wi

aid Leicester, "I am not certain of

ersation makes me restless. That sweet dream from which you

spoke, and a glow of admiration kindle

th his keen glance fixed upon the boy, "pe

th. "Alive! is there an

e flashed over it. Nothing could have bee

experimenting upon the beautiful nature before him, and like a c

er in some things. It is a little too sad. The quick sparkle of

rning his eyes from the miniature. "Wh

magical fruit!" said Leicester with a

that she was in trouble, and in all her beau

more lovely for the office, I a

ance on his companion; for without knowing it, his sensitive nature had been st

women are angels,"

t are they then?"

l curve of the lip, and a depth of sarcasm

, "but this one really is an angel. I may not admire her as much as you would, Rob

asm, for this frank praise had obliterated all im

he table, "as you seem quite awake, and as I po

ime of night?" said Robert,

see the inside of a gambling hous

house? Oh, M

uriosity with which youth always regards the unseen, is to expose evil at once, in all its glare and iniquity

forehead, and taking his cap from Leicester, who held it

hout seeming to observe his agitation. "Come, we shall

pale and s

full upon the boy with a look of overwhelming r

ost with a sob, for that look of reproach from his benefac

he w