a disgrace, for my parents were honest. I think not my education an unavailing one, because I imbibed the same principles of learning as I should have done at the best school; but as, till I was almost a man, I mixed with none but the most filthy vulgar, what wonder if low cunning and subtle artifice made up my mind: for how, but by the use of such talents, could I ever hope to rise in the world? And

then, as if a single spark of virtue—which God knows I honestly believed had no existence but in idea—was likely to check this worthy belief, in stept Mr. Standfast, who assured me that no man, not born to a fortune, ever rose to one without certain talents, which he called superior genius, but which I now denominate rascality.

'In short, I was to be placed about you as a sort of evil genius, and to give me as much power as possible over you, that is to say, as much hold as possible on your generosity, you were to seduce my sister, and I was to overlook it; whereas I never had a sister, nor was that woman any more than a common creature of the town. In short, all you saw at my house was a delusion, calculated for the purpose of introducing you to me, and giving you fresh apparent proofs of Mr. Standfast's attachment, probably lest you should discover the villany he happened then to be practising against your father.'

Here Mr. Figgins gave a copious detail of all the reader knows already, relative to the measures carried into effect by him and Standfast, both against Charles and his father; honestly stating how far he took shame to himself in this business,

and shewing when he first began to feel repugnance.
In short, he did not omit a circumstance which I have already related; and having fairly opened our hero's eyes as to Gloss, Sir Sidney, and every one else, concluded with assuring him that the baronet was ready to take him heartily by the hand, make him a concession for his unkind and unmerited coolness, and beg to be admitted into his friendship with more warmth than ever.
Figgins wound up this period pretty warmly, and then added,
'to which happy reconciliation it is needless to say will succeed your marriage with Annette, from which pleasure—due alone to two such hearts—may I ever be excluded, if I cease to be worthy its contemplation.'

To this succeeded a conversation consisting entirely of remarks. The whole of Standfast's conduct was taken piece meal