Yet I had sent it by the usual conveyance from the Hall, and had no reason to suspect that it could miscarry upon the road.

As it comprised matters of great importance both to my father and to myself, I sat down in the post-office and again wrote to Owen, recapitulating the heads of my former letter, and requesting to know, in course of post, if it had reached him in safety.

I also acknowledged the receipt of the bill, and promised to make use of the contents if I should have any occasion for money.

I thought, indeed, it was odd that my father should leave the care of supplying my necessities to his clerk; but I concluded it was a matter arranged between them.

At any rate, Owen was a bachelor, rich in his way, and passionately attached to me, so that I had no hesitation in being obliged to him for a small sum, which I resolved to consider as a loan, to be returned with my earliest ability, in case it was not previously repaid by my father; and I expressed myself to this purpose to Mr.Owen.A shopkeeper in a little town, to whom the post-master directed me, readily gave me in gold the amount of my bill on Messrs.