someoedmeinMrs.Fairfax’sroom.Onrepairingthither,Ifoundamanwaitingforme,havingtheappearanceofagentleman’sservant:hewasdressedindeepm,aheheldinhishandwassurrouhacrapeband.

    “Idaresayyouhardlyrememberme,Miss,”hesaid,risingasIentered;“butmynameisLeaven:IlivedanwithMrs.Reedwhenyateshead,eightornineyearssindIlivetherestill.”

    “Oh,Robert!howdoyoudo?Irememberyouverywell:youusedtogivemearidesometimesonMissGeiana’sbaypony.AndhowisBessie?YouaremarriedtoBessie?”

    “Yes,Miss:mywifeisveryhearty,thankyou;shebroughtmeatleoneabouttwomonthssince—wehavethreenow—andbothmotherandchildarethriving.”

    “Ahefamilywellatthehouse,Robert?”

    “IamsorryI’tgiveyoubetternewsofthem,Miss:theyareverybadlyatpresent—irouble.”

    “Ihopenooneisdead,”Isaid,glangathisblackdress.Hetoolookeddownatthecraperoundhishatandreplied—

    “Mr.Johndiedyesterdaywasaweek,athischambersinLondon.”

    “Mr.John?”

    “Yes.”

    “Andhowdoeshismotherbearit?”

    “Why,yousee,MissEyre,itisnotaishap:hislifehasbeenverywild:theselastthreeyearshegavehimselfupteways,andhisdeathwasshog.”

    “IheardfromBessiehewasnotdoingwell.”

    “Doingwell!Hecouldnotdoworse:heruinedhishealthandhisestateamongsttheworstmenandtheworstwomeiandintojail:hismotherhelpedhimouttwice,butassoonashewasfreehereturohisoldpanionsandhabits.Hisheadwasn:theknaveshelivedamongstfooledhimbeyondanythingIeverheard.HecamedowntoGatesheadaboutthreeweeksagoandwantedmissistogiveupalltohim.Missisrefused:hermeanshavelongbeenmuchreduce