When Mr. Falkland had satisfied his curiosity, he proceeded to inform me that he
was in want of a secretary, that I appeared to him sufficiently qualified for
that office, and that, if in my present change of situation occasioned by the
death of my father I approved of the employment, he would take me into his
family.
    I felt highly flattered by the proposal, and was warm in the expression of
my acknowledgements. I set eagerly about the disposal of the little property my
father had left, in which I was assisted by Mr. Collins. I had not now a
relation in the world, upon whose kindness and interposition I had any direct
claim. But, far from regarding this deserted situation with terror, I formed
golden visions of the station I was about to occupy. I little suspected that the
gaiety and lightness of heart I had hitherto enjoyed were upon the point of
leaving me for ever, and that the rest of my days were devoted to misery and
alarm.
    My employment was easy and agreeable. It consisted partly in the
transcribing and arranging certain papers, and partly in writing from my
master's dictation letters of business, as well as sketches of literary
composition. Many of these latter consisted of an analytical survey of the plans
of different authors, and conjectural speculations upon hints they afforded,
tending either to the detection of their errors or the carrying forward their
discoveries. All of them bore powerful marks of a profound and elegant mind,
well stored with literature, and possessed of an uncommon share of activity and
discrimination.
    My station was in that part of the house which was appropriated for the
reception of books, it being my duty to perform the functions of librarian as
well as secretary. Here my hours would have glided in tranquillity and peace,
had not my situation included in it circumstances totally different from those
which attended me in my father's cottage. In early life my mind had been much
engrossed by reading and reflexion. My intercourse with my fellow mortals was
occasional and short. But in my new residence I was excited by every motive of
interest and novelty to study my master's character, and I found in it an ample
field for speculation and conjecture.
    His mode of living was in the utmost degree recluse and solitary. He had no
inclination to scenes of revelry and mirth. He avoided the busy haunts of men;
nor did he seem desirous to compensate for this privation by the confidence of
friendship. He appeared a total stranger to every thing which usually bears the
appellation of pleasure. His features were scarcely ever relaxed into a smile,