CHAPTER III.
I SERVED Edward as his second clerk faithfully, punctually, diligently.
What was given me to do I had the power and the determination to do well.

Mr.Crimsworth watched sharply for defects, but found none; he set Timothy Steighton, his favourite and head man, to watch also.

Tim was baffled; I was as exact as himself, and quicker.

Mr.Crimsworth made inquiries as to how I lived, whether I got into debt--no, my accounts with my landlady were always straight.

I had hired small lodgings, which I contrived to pay for out of a slender fund--the accumulated savings of my Eton pocket-money; for as it had ever been abhorrent to my nature to ask pecuniary assistance, I had early acquired habits of self-denying economy; husbanding my monthly allowance with anxious care, in order to obviate the danger of being forced, in some moment of future exigency, to beg additional aid.