When dear papa died and we discovered he had been speculating unfortunately in East India Stock--'buying for a fall' was, I am told, his besetting weakness, though I could never understand the process--Arthur offered me a home and maintenance for life.

Of course I refused: for the blow reduced him, too, to bitter poverty, and he was married.

And, besides, I could never bear his wife, who was a woman of fashion and extravagant.

She is dead now, poor thing, so we will not talk of her: but she could never be made to understand that their circumstances were altered, and died leaving some debts and one child, a boy called Archibald, who is now close on twenty years old.
So there is my story, Harry; and a very ordinary one, is it not ?" "Where does Captain Plinlimmon live ?" I asked.
"He is quartered in Lancaster just now, with his regiment: and Archie lives with him.

He had hoped to buy the poor boy a commission before this, but could not do so honourably until all the debts were paid.
'The sins of the fathers--'" She broke off and glanced at me nervously.
But I was not of an age to suspect why, or to understand my own lot at all.