"I have only to add, that Mrs. Holloway and my daughter Angelina sincerely unite with me in compliments and condolence; and I shall be happy if I can be of any service in the settlement of your affairs. "Mrs Holloway desires me to say, she would do herself the honour of waiting upon you to-morrow, but is setting out for Margate. "I am, dear madam, "Your most obedient and humble servant, "A. T. Holloway. "P.S. Your agent is much to blame for neglecting to insure." Mrs. Howard, as soon as she had perused this epistle, gave it to her nephew, who was reading in the room with her when she received it. He showed more emotion on reading it than she had done. The coldness of the alderman's letter seemed to strike the boy more than the loss of a fortune--"And this is a friend!" he exclaimed with indignation. "No, my love," said Mrs. Howard, with a calm smile, "I never thought Mr. Holloway any thing more than a common acquaintance: I hope--I am sure I have chosen _my friends_ better." Charles fixed an eager, inquiring eye upon his aunt, which seemed to say, "Did you mean to call me one of your friends?" and then he grew very thoughtful. "My dear Charles," said the aunt, after nearly a quarter of an hour's silence, "may I know what you have been thinking of all this time?" "Thinking of, ma'am!" said Charles, starting from his reverie--"of a great many things--of all you have done for me--of--of what I could do--I don't mean now; for I know I am a child, and can do nothing--I don't mean _nothing_.--I shall soon be a man, and then I can be a physician, or a lawyer, or something.--Mr. Russell told me the other day, that if I applied myself, I might be whatever I pleased. What would _you_ wish me to be, ma'am?--because that's what I will be--if I can." "Then I wish you to be what you are." "O madam," said Charles, with a look of great mortification, "but that's nothing. Won't you make me of some use to you?--But I beg your pardon, I know you can't think about me just now. Good night," said he, and hurried out of the room. The news of the loss of the Lively Peggy, with all the particulars mentioned in Alderman Holloway's letter, appeared in the next day's newspapers, and in the succeeding paper appeared an advertisement of Mrs. Howard's house in Portman-square, of her plate, china, furniture, books, &c.--She had never in affluence disdained economy. She had no debts; not a single tradesman was a sufferer by her loss. She had always lived within her annual income; and though her generous disposition had prevented her from hoarding money, she had a small sum in the funds, which she had prudently reserved for any unforeseen exigence. She had also a few diamonds, which had been her mother's, which Mr. Carat, the jeweller, who had new set them, was very willing to purchase. He waited upon Mrs. Howard, in Portman-square, to complete the bargain.