I now proceed to a momentous period in my history. When I returned to Sugpore, I found a budget of letters awaiting my perusal. Some of these letters were from tradesmen, whose general tone in demanding their dues somewhat alarmed me. But the letter which most disturbed me was from my father. It was very long, and very badly written; crossed, and disfigured with blots. As to any sense that it contained, the only plain information that I extracted from it was this, that my father was in desperate trouble. What sort of trouble, he did not assist me in perceiving; but I inclined to think that he had embarked with Mr Ralph Graham in some speculation which had ruined them both. But why did not my uncle write? I had supposed that he had by this time returned from his travels. And what was

Helena Chobham doing, that she could not convey me any hint of what was taking place?

But I reproached myself for asking that question, when, just as I had finished reading my father's unintelligible letter, my bearer came in with a telegram from no other person than Helena herself, which contained the words: "Father quite well; please come home; urgently required."

I immediately hastened to Colonel Melnotte, whom I had not yet seen, and was about to tell him my business, when he observed of his own accord, "If you want to go home, you can start off by the next train. I'll make it all right. Sir George Walnut's not here; he's gone home himself." Without staying to inquire how the colonel had become a wizard, I at once took the hint he had given me; and having left

a few necessary directions behind me, 1 proceeded forthwith to Bombay, and there secured a passage in a vessel just sailing for England.

CHAPTER XVIII.

I WILL not afflict the reader with a descriptive analysis of my frame of mind at the time when I was rushing towards troubles and dangers of an unknown nature and extent. I shall endeavour instead, to give a few rather interesting fragments from the conversation of a certain Mr Ratcliff, whom I met on board ship, and who afterwards had an important connection with my affairs. He was now returning to England with a large pension, and some honours, after having spent a very useful portion of his career in the service of the State. We contracted an acquaintance by some chance incident

on board; but we soon began to understand one another very well. In fact, knowing no one else, he gradually found me necessary for his happiness; for, like nearly every other man of importance, he always liked to have within reach some one to whom he could confide a few of his secret thoughts.

At first we talked on commonplace topics; then he took to asking me questions, with the evident design of extorting some opposition. For, unlike the archbishop in 'Gil Blas,' nothing pleased him better than to have fallacies discovered in his own arguments and opinions. One night, while the other passengers were engaged in music, a science for which he had a good humoured but hearty contempt, Mr Ratcliff favoured me with some of his opinions on matters of Indian