should come of age, at which period it was concerted that Risberg should
return and receive a portion with me, enabling him to enter advantageously
on the profession of the law, to which he was now training. This stipend
was far from being extravagant, or more than sufficient for the decent
maintenance of a student at the Temple; and Risberg's conduct had always
been represented, by those under whose eye he had been placed, as regular
and exemplary.

This intimation surprised me a good deal. I could easily imagine the
embarrassments to which a failure of this kind must subject a generous
spirit, and thought it my duty to remove them as soon as possible. I
supposed that some miscarriage or delay had happened to the money, and
that my father would instantly rectify any error, or supply any
deficiency. I hastened, therefore, to his house, with the opened letter. I
found him alone, and immediately showed him that page of the letter which
related to this affair. I anxiously watched his looks while he read
it.

I observed marks of great surprise in his countenance, and, as soon as
he laid down the letter, I began to expatiate on the inconveniences which
Risberg had suffered. He listened to me in gloomy silence, and, when I had
done, made no answer but by a deep sigh and downcast look.

"Pray, dear sir," continued I, "what could have happened to the money
which you sent? You had not heard, I suppose, of its miscarriage."

"No, I had not heard of it before. I will look into it, and see what
can be done." Here further conversation was suspended by a visitant. I
waited with impatience till the guest had retired; but he had scarcely
left the room when my brother entered. I supposed my father would have