He almost thought he would go away if he could think of any place to go to where life might be more interesting.

He had no relations excepting an uncle, who had emigrated to America when Claudius was a baby, and who wrote twice a year, with that regular determination to keep up his family ties which characterises the true Northman.

To this uncle he also wrote regularly at stated intervals, telling of his quiet student-life.

He knew that this solitary relation was in business in New York, and he inferred from the regular offers of assistance which came in every letter that he was in good circumstances,--but that was all.

This evening he fell to thinking about him.