can take time to look about for a business opportunity. If
you don't like it, come back, but, if you can content
yourself there for awhile, you had better do so."

"But, sir, I have no money."

"You are going for me; I shall, therefore, insist upon
paying the bills. In the success of the undertaking I have,
perhaps, as great an interest as you."

"When do you wish me to start?" I asked.

"To-night. That is to say, I would like you to leave this
place at once, go with me to a hotel, and sail by the first
steamer that leaves for New York."

Ever since that strange and silent messenger had come to me
with my uncle's letter I had been haunted by a desire to go
in quest of him. Now that it was possible, I hesitated. What
would Hester say on hearing that I had gone to America? It
would be very grand to write her from New York that I had
been suddenly called abroad on important business. Would she
care? Of course she would care, and I was willing to wager a
sixpence with myself that she would cry bitterly, too, on
receiving the letter. Ah, what a punishment that would be
for her coldness and indifference!

Yes, I would go. I began picking up my things and packing
them into my box.