Gilbert was presented to a pleasant-looking lady, whom Laura introduced as her mother.

“I am glad to see you, Mr. Greyson,” she said, cordially; “I supposed Laura would bring you in here at once, but it seemed to be her intention to monopolize you.”

“We had important business to talk over, mamma.”

“Very important, no doubt. How do you like the city, Mr. Greyson?”

“I think I shall like it after I am better acquainted,” Gilbert answered.

“You haven’t introduced me, Laura,” said her brother Fred, in an aggrieved tone.

“Gilbert,” said Laura, “let me introduce to 134your favorable notice my brother Fred, who, in his own opinion, is a model of all the virtues.”

“I am glad to meet him. I never saw a model boy before,” said Gilbert, pleasantly.

“I never pretended to be a model boy,” said Fred. “Laura’s only chaffing.”

“Where did you pick up that word, Fred?” said his mother.

“Isn’t it a good word, mamma? It’s just what she does.”

“Fred has just commenced Latin,” said Laura, “but I am afraid, from his own story, that it is just wearing out his constitution.”

“I don’t see any good in it,” said Fred. “Do you know Latin, Mr. Greyson?”

“I have studied it some.”

“How far have you been?”

“I have read C?sar and Virgil.”

“Oh, then you know a lot about it. I’m only in the second declension.”

“You don’t like it, then?”

135“Not much. I don’t see how anybody could ever talk such stuff.”

“You will be more interested in it as you get on further. That was the way with me. I wasn’t in love with it at first.”

“I hope so,” said Fred.

Here Mr. Vivian entered, and greeted Gilbert cordially.

“I told Laura to keep you,” he said. “What have you been doing since we met?”

“I have got a place, or rather Mr. Briggs got one for me.”

“What sort of a place?”

“I am with Mr. Sands, a stock-broker. His office is on Wall Street.”

“I know of him, though I don’t personally know him. How do you like your new situation?”

“I have not been there long enough to decide. I like Mr. Sands.”

“Are you still an inmate of Mr. Briggs’ house?”

“No, sir; I am boarding on Clinton Place, near Broadway.”

136“You find that more convenient to your office?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then you have fairly got started in your business career. I hope you may be successful.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I believe you told me that your money, of which Mr. Briggs had charge, has been entirely expended on your education?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Are you compelled, then, to live on your weekly wages?”

“I don’t think I could do that very well, as they only amount to five dollars a week. Mr. Briggs offered to pay my board, and let me use this for other expenses. I don’t like to have him do it, but he insists upon it.”

“That seems kind,” said Mr. Vivian. “Was it your idea, or his, to go to a boarding-house?”

“I suspect,” said Gilbert, hesitating, for he was not clear whether he ought to tell this, “that it was Mrs. Briggs’ idea. From the first, she has not seemed to like me.”

137“I don’t like her looks,” said Laura; “I have seen her several times. You know, papa, she was at the same hotel with us at Saratoga. She looks cross.”

“You must not speak too hastily against people, Laura,” said Mrs. Vivian.

“I suspect Laura only shares the general feeling,” said Mr. Vivian. “Mrs. Briggs is, by no means, a favorite in society.”

“Nor Randolph, either,” added Laura.

“I thought he was a beau of yours, Laura,” said her father, slyly.

“He never was, papa. I used to meet him at dancing-school, and I have danced with him there; but that is the end of our acquaintance. If he bows to me I bow back, but I don’t care to know any more of him.”

“Can’t we have a little music, Laura?” asked her father.

“I only play a little. Do you play, Gilbert?”

“No, Miss Laura.”

“Or sing?”

138“A little.”

“Then I’ll make a barga............