About a year after our last meeting, I received the announcement of his marriage with Miss Geoffry.

He wrote to tell me that, if I would allow him a decent income, he would reform and lead a steady life.

That letter I did answer: to the effect that, if he chose to come here and act as my shopman, I would give him board and lodging for himself and his wife, and such wages as he should deserve.

I told him that I had given him his chance as a gentleman, and he had thrown it away.

I would give him the opportunity now of succeeding in a humbler career by sheer industry and perseverance as I had succeeded myself.