MR TODD had gone out ere I left my room; but I took care to see him in the course of the morning, and had a conclusive conversation. I could not bring myself to argue, far less to reproach. I dryly did just what was necessary for the final closing of all our accounts; and was about to have quitted his house immediately with L.100—the whole remains of my fortune—in my pocket, when he was pleased, entirely of his own accord, to hint, that he had formed a plan for my future disposal of myself, if I would do him the favour to listen to it. I bowed coldly, and heard him usher in, with many fine flourishes, the proposal, that I should devote myself to the legal profession, and, with that view, bind myself forthwith apprentice to himself. The entrance-fees, he observed, would no doubt swallow up most of my ready money, but I could easily support myself ever afterwards by the fair profits of my pen. I need scarcely say that I scorned this notion utterly; I had seen quite enough of him, and something of the law too. I therefore answered very gravely, that my inclinations lay in another direction, and was bowed out of the house with great civility. I am not sure, up to this hour, that Jack Todd had ever ceased to be my friend; but my disgust at the time extended itself to him also; so I was by no means sorry that his accidental absence from town gave me the opportunity of avoiding a formal adieu.

Behold me, then, like the Apostle of the Gentiles, established pro tempore “in mine own hired house,” in other words, tenant of a garret at three shillings a-week, in a lodging-house near the foot of the Covenant Close; master of a very tolerable wardrobe, (for you may well suppose I had run out considerably as to such matters during these months of idleness and folly,) my father's gold watch and Andrew Ferrara,—a cheque for L.100 upon the Bank of Scotland,—and some five guineas odd shillings in cash,—master, moreover, of a strong and muscular body—and perhaps not quite master of an active, aimless, and miserable mind.