But he could not help reflecting on what hẹ had heard, and such was his love of justice, that he would gladly have spent something of his own private fortune to have reinstated Mrs. Potter. But the affair seemed hopeless, it was so long since the death of the uncle.

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When he sat down to converse with Mrs. Walker, she was of opinion that something might be done. My love," said she, "if we could get this foolish woman into a private house, much that is now wrong would probably be corrected: do let us try. I should think there are many professional men who would have pleasure in helping such a case."

Mr. W. Without money, Sophia?

Mrs. W. (laughing) Not without the hope of money.

Mr. W. Well, my dear, can you find any one who will with the hope of money undertake Mrs. Potter's cause?

Mrs. W. I think I can.

Mr. W. Well, you must hold high councils with Mrs. Potter. But I would do nothing till I had cured her of her propensities; if you do, you only furnish her with an opportunity of more effectually destroying her constitution: and, besides, let me tell you, I think conscience the best lawyer:

and as I'm going to London next week, if Mrs. P. could furnish me with this woman's address, I would pay her a visit, and take Protheroe with me, he might use a few fine law terms, and without spending any money we might bring her to do justice.

Mrs. W. This is an excellent plot. I should exceedingly enjoy such a scene.

We will pass the interview between Mrs Walker and Mrs. Potter, and touch only what is material to the history-the friendly offices of the good Rector of P.

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Mrs. Tucker, the tobacconist's housekeeper, was quietly established at a neat little highway-side villa at Walworth, where the stage could take her up and put her down at her own door; and a few mornings after his arrival in London, the friend of the oppressed widow rang at the neat gate of a small house. A little girl came to it. "Is Mrs. Tucker at home?"-"Sir?" Is Mrs. Tucker at home?" A grave old citizen, who was standing at his door, came out, in a well-mended bannian and a velvet cap, and bowing_very respectfully to Mr. Walker and Mr. Protheroe Walker, asked for whom they inquired." For Mrs. Tucker, Sir."" You are at the wrong number; it is No. 1, not 21, you should have called at. But if you will just step in while I slip off my morning dress (look

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ing archly at his gown), I will lead you to the lady you seek."-" Thank you, Sir. Will you be so very obliging as to give me your name?" My name, Sir, is Brownrigg; and (looking up at Mr. Walker) perhaps- -and ere he continued Mr. W. said Mine is Walker, and this is my nephew, Mr. Protheroe Walker of Lincoln's Inn."

Mr. Brownrigg buttoned himself up tight as though he would have shunned all intercourse with a lawyer, and seemed about to settle into a reserve which was very unlike his first cordiality; but his curiosity was too much for him; and while he looked for his cane and his well-mended gloves, and put the guard on his fire, and hung up his kettle-holder, and locked his bright bureau, he hemmed and coughed, and at last" You have business with Mrs. Tucker, Mr. Walker?"-"Yes, Sir. You know Mrs. Tucker?"—" Yes, Sir, I have known her many years."-" She is a respectable woman, is she not?" said Mr. Walker. "Yes, Sir, a very decent, respectable woman.' "She is rich, I believe?"—" Why, Sir, all riches are comparative, you know: I am called a rich man because I live upon my means, and can say I owe no man any thing; and yet, Sir, if you look at my opposite neighbour, he is richer still. There, Sir, you see his footman has banged to

the carriage-door-and there go his prancing horses. Why, now, I remember when that man swept his own shop. He is an honest fellow-he has got on by fair trading-he has brought up a large family very decently-no man envies him-he never refused a good turn in his life—he is an honest man, Sir; that man's an honest man-But I keep you waiting, gentlemen, I am quite ready," and he was leading the way to the passage, "but, gentlemen," said he, hesitating, "I should be very sorry to do a neighbour an ill turn; 1 hope there is no harm intended to Mrs. Tucker?"-" Sir," said Mr. Walker, "if Mrs. Tucker has done no wrong, she is safe; and if she has done wrong, I am sure you are too much a gentleman and a man of honour"--and here Mr. Brownrigg laughed" I say, Sir, you are too much a gentleman," repeated Mr. Walker, "to enlist on the wrong side."

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Mr. Protheroe Walker looked at his uncle as though he would have said, softly, softly. Mr. Brownrigg had the door in his hand at this moment, but he closed it again. Gentlemen, will you step back a minute-will you sit down?" Mr. Protheroe Walker said, "Certainly, Sir," and stept back with him immediately. "You seem to know our business?" The wary

Mr. Brownrigg bowed; "You come from the village of P I presume, Sir; you come from Mrs. Potter, Sir?" "I do not come from Mrs. Potter, Sir; I never saw her; but that gentleman, (looking at Mr. Walker,) that gentleman knows Mrs. Potter certainly and now, Sir, for I hate mysteries, I wish a sight of the late Mr. Wilson's will."-" So I thought," said Mr Brownrigg, putting his finger very knowingly to the side of his nose; "and I must say, Sir, I think the friends of Mrs. Potter have a right to this satisfaction."-" As the minister of the parish, Sir, I consider myself the friend of every being in it.' "Excellent, Sir, excellent; that's just what I think every parson should do, though I can't say, Sir, its exactly what they do do." "But now to the point," said Mr. Walker, breaking through his unwilling restraint, "how was it that Mr. Wilson died without leaving a shilling to his nearest relation? Do you think it was all fair play, Sir?"

Mr. B. Sir, I knew Mr. Wilson as well as I knew my own brother, and if his niece had gone on to his liking, he would never have overlooked her; but, Sir, she was an extravagant woman.

Mr. W. I believe not, Sir.

Mr. B. Well, Sir, I have heard her uncle say so. He worked for every shilling of