He had had various tutors, trained to show, rather than to exact, respect; one succeeding another, at his own whim and caprice.

His natural quickness, and a very strong, hard, inquisitive turn of mind, had enabled him, however, to pick up more knowledge, though of a desultory and miscellaneous nature, than boys of his age generally possess; and his roving, independent, out-of-door existence had served to ripen his understanding.

He had certainly, in spite of every precaution, arrived at some, though not very distinct, notion of his peculiar position; but none of its inconveniences had visited him till that day.

He began now to turn his eyes to the future; and vague and dark forebodings--a consciousness of the shelter, the protector, the station, he had lost in his father's death--crept coldly, over him.

While thus musing, a ring was heard at the bell; he lifted his head; it was the postman with a letter.