TO Ellis the trials of the next two weeks were of the severest character.

Yet, he kept himself away from drinking-houses, and struggled manfully to retain his feet under him.

In this he was only sustained by the kindness of his wife's manner, and the interest she seemed to feel in him.

Had she acted towards him with her usual want of affectionate consideration, he would have fallen under the heavy burdens that rested upon him.

Scarcely a day passed in which he was not visited by Carlton's agent, and fretted almost past endurance by his importunities.