We can find great use for them in this country." Charteris also said farewell to them, telling them that his own house was not far away, and offering them his services in any way they wished as long as they remained in the city.
"Another fine young man," said Master Benjamin, as the tall figure of Charteris melted away in the darkness.

"A good representative of our city's best blood and manners, and yes, of morals, too." Robert went alone the next morning to the new public library, founded the year before and known as the New York Society Library, a novelty then and a great evidence of municipal progress.

The most eminent men of the city, appointed by Governor de Lancey, were its trustees, and, the collection already being large, Robert spent a happy hour or two glancing through the books.

History and fiction appealed most to him, but he merely looked a little here and there, opening many volumes.

He was proud that the intelligence and enterprise of New York had founded so noble an institution and he promised himself that if, in the time to come, he should be a permanent resident of the city, his visits there would be frequent.
When he left the library it was about noon, the day being cloudy and dark with flurries of snow, those who were in the streets shivering with the raw cold.