His haunts were impervious even to the eyes of the delighted that the surgeon had taken his lodging most cunning, when concealment suited his purpose. LABERIUS.

"I dare say-supplies run short-aye-aye, Mr. Crawford!" cried Nathaniel, with a chuckle. "My purse is but indifferently well lined at present," was the answer: "but, by the bye, have you heard any thing favourable concerning Sir George Mornay lately? has he settled the debts you mentioned to me some six or seven months ago?--I dare swear not."

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sternly, while poor Nathaniel quivered like an arrow the moment it has pierced the target and become attached to the board. "Speak!" tinued the irritated baronet: then seeing that he was far from likely to obtain a speedy response, he coolly walked up to the fatal cupboard, pulled open the door, and recognised James Crawfordyes, reader, recognised-for he had seen him before.

For a moment Sir George Mornay was irresolute how to act; but that irresolution lasted not more than the moment, during which Crawford was speechless with excess of agitation and alarm.

"Say not a word, but follow me," said Mornay to the youth, who obeyed this command with "This very morning I expect him," returned mechanical deference and despatch, as if he Mr. Nathaniel, to the astonishment of Crawford. were a bird fascinated by the eye of the crafty He promised to call at about one o'clock-yes, serpent. "Mr. Nathaniel, good morning: you one: it is now half-past twelve," added the money-will call at my house this evening between eight lender, glancing at a splendid watch that lay upon the table.

"Do you notice that large cupboard at the end of the room?-Well, it was originally intended for private papers and cash-boxes: but those articles have been since removed to another office in my house. The place is sufficiently commodious for your purpose; and through the key-hole yon may satisfy your curiosity. The baronet will not stay five minutes; his habits are not to tarry and waste his precious time in conversation about trivial matters. Business once over, he rises and departs forthwith, probably to transact other affairs."

"I return you many thanks, my dear sir," exclaimed Crawford, delighted with the scheme proposed.

At that moment the hasty roll of wheels up the street, then a loud ring at the bell, announced the arrival of some visitor in a carriage; and Mr. Nathaniel speedily discovered from the window the equipage of Sir George Mornay.

The wily Jew pushed James into the closet, and hurried to the stairs to receive the baronet with due deference.

Crawford's heart beat quickly, for he was now to see that singular individual, whose character was so mysterious-whose unaccountable behaviour towards the poor relatives of his departed cousin spoke much of eccentricity, or even cruelty! James was now to behold him, he thought within himself, for the first time. An unaccountable trembling came over his frame: footsteps approached along the passage leading from the summit of the stairs to the apartment in which James lay concealed, and Sir George Mornay entered the room, followed by the obsequious Mr. Nathaniel-when to the terror and confusion of the Jew, and to the surprise of the baronet, a violent scream issued from the closet.

"What means that? inquired Sir George

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and nine," added the baronet, as he bowed coolly, and led the way to his carriage, followed by Crawford.

In a short time they stopped at the baronet's house in Portland Place.

Whatever was the nature of the conversation that took place during an interview of at least three hours, between these two individuals apparently thrown so awkwardly together, Crawford retired to his own dwelling partially satisfied, and partially discontented.

An answer was given that was far from satisfactory to Mr. Nathaniel, who anxiously looked forward to the time when the considerable loans he had advanced Crawford should be repaid with the exorbitant interest that had accumulated upon them.

THE day arrived on which Mr. Nathaniel was engaged to dine with Crawford, as already related. Punctually at the hour of six, the worthy Jew, habited in his best suit of black, knocked at the door, and was admitted to the drawing room, where James awaited his arrival. In a few minutes dinner was announced; and they descended to the parlour below.

"And is there any more discrepancy in the i corks than there is in the flavour or the age? demanded the Jew coolly, but peremptorily, while a demoniac smile of irony curled his lip, as he handed the cork which he had secreted the day before over to his companion; at the same time tendering another drawn from his own bottle. "There is your cork-and here is mine; and yet my wine came not direct from Portugal!" he exclaimed.

During the meal, by the materials of which the art of gastronomy was proved to be well understood in Crawford's kitchen, the Madeira, so faithfully promised, was produced, and was declared excellent by Mr. Nathaniel, to the great joy of his entertainer. By accident the Jew happened to take the cork of one of the bottles in his hand, and carelessly examined the sealed top of it. His countenance changed in a minute-he gazed at Craw-his bottles, ere they were unfortunately placed ford-then at the cork once more-the youth was not noticing him, nor his emotions-and the cork was instantly conveyed to Nathaniel's pocket. "This wine is doubtless old," said he, addressing Crawford, as if nothing had happened.

Crawford cast a single glance upon the damning proofs of his falsehood: on both were the seal and name of “Jacob Wright."

It was strange that he should have thus committed himself-it was remarkable that so ridicu- | lous an oversight should cause his detection! It was marvellous that he had not better arranged

"I believe so: Mr. Fitzgerald hinted as much in his letter," was the reply.

"Indeed. Well-I have some Madeira, myself -at home," cried Nathaniel, after a moment's thought. "It is not certainly as good as this but of such a quality, that I should not be ashamed if you were to taste it, my dear Mr. Crawford. Will you allow me to have the pleasure of your company to dinner, to-morrow?"

"I shall be delighted," returned James. "You are not better engaged?

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"No-that is impossible. To tell the truth, am not engaged at all; and even if I were," continued James with a smile, "I could not pass a more pleasant evening than I am certain to do with you."

Nathaniel acknowledged the compliment, felt satisfied in his own mind how to act, and resumed some topic of conversation on which they had touched before; nor did he allow Crawford to suspect in the least that there was any evil brewing against him.

To be brief, the hour of midnight had struck before either was aware that it was so late. Anecdotes, tales, and agreeable discourse had whiled away the time; and they parted, James being perfectly contented with his guest, and Mr. Nathaniel apparently as much so with his entertainer.

before the cunning Israelite: but it was not astonishing that the circumstance should have instantly excited the suspicions of Nathaniel, and should have made him tremble for the extensive loans he had advanced him whom he found beyond doubt to be an IMPOSTOR.

Crawford's countenance now betrayed all his guilt-his firmness forsook him-his presence of mind failed him-only for a moment did he endeavour to summon the last remnants of his impudence to his aid, and still brave out the matterbut it was useless--and with a cry of horror he sank down upon the carpet, crying, "Save-oh! | save me-do not expose me-for I am degraded for ever consider my mother-my sisters-consider-oh! consider, that it will not benefit you, to seal my eternal ruin!"

The Jew's eyes flashed fire.

"Young man," said he in a deliberate tone o. voice, "you must of me expect no mercy." "Great God! is your heart so obdurate? cried James in agony, as he writhed on the floor, like the wounded serpent.

"Yes, my heart to you is obdurate," continued Nathaniel; "for by you I am nearly ruined. Think of the vast sums-my hard-earned riches -of which you have pitilessly robbed me,-and then forbear to talk of mercy! Where was your mercy, when you, impudent in your air, and as sured in your manner, saw me drain my coffers to satisfy your extravagancies? Where was your consideration, when, instead of being contented with the few thousands I first lent you,-your

unbounded avarice, your greediness-your fear of letting me slip through your fingers-your determination not to lose a single opportunity of cheating-of even reducing me to beggary if you could -where-where, I ask, was your consideration, when you sucked me dry?"

"All-all this is true!" exclaimed James. "But remember that you have lived by others as well as I! Have not the various anecdotes you have told me given ample proofs thereof?" "Rascal-villain-impostor! thundered the Jew, in a transport of indescribable wrath; "had you not thrown that in my teeth, there was still hope left for you! But you are a scoundrel, a hypocrite to the bottom of your soul! Whatever I may be whatever I may have been, I care not. I glory in cheating: but I am not to be cheated! And yet, would to God, that I had been the author of your imposture! Never-never was there so admirable a plan! Were it not already worn threadbare, I would join you: as it is, I must have my vengeance!"

Scarcely had he uttered these last words in a hurried tone and with impassioned manner when he rang the bell furiously.

A servant immediately answered the appeal. "Tell Mr. Trap to walk in," said Nathaniel: and assuming an air of coolness, he sauntered towards the window.

"For God's sake, what will you do?" asked James, with more agony of mind than he had ever yet experienced.

"Nothing-be still!" exclaimed the Jew, while a suspicious looking individual entered the apartment, followed, at a respectful distance, by two other personages not a bit better-flavoured than their leader.

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These were Sheriffs'-officers; and in spite of his tears, his supplications, his reproaches, and his prayers, Crawford was taken into custody at the suit of the relentless Mr. Nathaniel.

Half an hour afterwards, the Impostor was pacing a room at one of the spunging-houses in Chancery Lane.

A couple of hours passed-two hours of dreadful reflection and troubled reverie, when the door of the apartment suddenly opened, and Pearson sauntered slowly into the room.

Ah! my dear friend," said the man of the world; "I have heard of your misfortune; but you must allow that it is a little too strong to pretend so much. You know my affection for you. What is the sum, while I think of it, that you are in this cursed hole for?"

Many thousands," answered James. "And now, that my situation is known, I shall be beset by all my creditors."

"Indeed," said Pearson coolly. "Well-we must get you out, you know, my dear friend-eh!" "It is impossible, Pearson. You have not a hundredth part of the money: even if you had, I I would not take it. I have sinned, and I must suffer."

"Do not preach, at all events. Sermons in a spunging-house, forsooth!" and Pearson laughed heartily.

"Gaiety in such a house is more annoying," cried Crawford, sharply.

make yourself unhappy: we must get you out, you know, Crawford."

And having said these words, he took up his hat, swung out of the room with a chilling "goodbye," and chuckled as he descended the stairs. All the favours he had received at the hands of the Youthful Impostor were forgotten; the dinners, the feasts, the entertainments, the moneys he had borrowed, dwelt no longer in the fashion

able gentleman's memory. In after years, if

Crawford's name were mentioned, Pearson affected a momentary oblivion: then, feigning a slight reminiscence of such a person, he turned upon his heel, with "Oh! yes-I do call to mind the young villain, who humbugged us all."

So it is with the generality of the world. Surrounded by wealth, luxury, and the means of enjoyment, we may have friends innumerable, as the gay garden, rich in variegated flowers, attracts the painted butterflies. But if poverty be our meagre guest, if desolation hang round our walls, then do our once flattering and obsequious friends depart; as the garden is deserted by the butterfly, when Winter presides over Nature, and nips those attractive flowers which once abounded with seductive sweets.

Indeed, Pearson's call was only instigated by motives of curiosity. He had heard a rumour of Mr. Nathaniel's alarming discovery of Crawford's real situation; he had, therefore, hurried to the lock-up house to convince himself of the truth of the report for at first the tale appeared ridiculous. Through his, and the agency of others, the whole metropolis was soon aware of the circumstance: and those newspapers, that were lately so glad to sing the praises of Crawford, were now prepared to publish his ruin, his infamy, and his disgrace.

Hands were held up in astonishment-tongues were for a period stricken dumb-utterence was arrested-limbs were palsied, as it were, when the news was bruited around. Some arrogantly declared that the real story had always been suspected by sensible men; others candidly avowed that they never had been so deceived. Those who were jealous of a fellow-creature's prosperity, were rejoiced; the duped creditors were almost driven to distraction-for some had experienced immense losses by the honour of Mr. Crawford's custom. Those who had forced their goods upon him were furious, cursing their unlucky stars, and vainly wishing that a more prudential economy had regulated their behaviour. Billiard-rooms, coffeehouses, clubs, &c. were crowded with gossips employed in canvassing the business thus strangely brought to light. A subscription was set on foot for Mr. Nathaniel, to recompense him for his defeated speculations, and to reward him for having exposed a reprobate to the world!

We should also observe that the female friends, at whose house Mrs. Crawford had left Catherine, wrote a letter to that lady in Guernsey, informing her as delicately as possible of the event, and promising to treat her daughter with even increased kindness, as well as to keep her ingnorant of the fact, till her mother should be on the spot to break it to her.

And what of James Crawford himself? He was reduced to despair, and at times was nearly drive. "Ch! no--it can't be," drawled out the roué to suicide! Even, when he enjoyed an interval "impossible, my dear fellow. Well-don't of comparative calmness, he thought of his mother