"Anger is a short madness, is it not, mother? So it was with me, at least, when I was a boy; and how those frenzies of passion, into which I would be thrown, used to terrify me when I came to my senses! I used to be haunted with a fear that, in some such mad and blind fury, I might----" "Hush! oh, hush! Pray to God!" exclaimed Phædra, turning pale. "Well, but of late years I have been able to control myself, and have also suffered less provocation." "Ah, yes; less provocation." "Well, mother, I will promise you, faithfully, at least, to exercise habitual self-control. As for your other subject of anxiety, be at rest. Oswald Waring has his fits of generosity, in which even his sensual love of his own comforts is forgotten. And I shall take advantage of one of those moods to procure our manumission--not that I am sure I shall leave him, even after that is obtained." All that is necessary to record of their conversation ended here. In a few minutes after, Phædra left the chamber to attend to her domestic affairs. In the course of a few weeks, Mr. Waring hurried the completion of all the business to which his personal attention was indispensable; and then, attended by Valentine, he set out for his European travels, leaving the further settlement of his estate in the hands of Mr. Pettigrew. CHAPTER III. THE BOTTLE DEMON. Oh! that men should put an enemy in Their mouths to steal away their brains; that we Should, with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause, Transform ourselves into beasts! Oh! thou invisible Spirit of wine, If thou hast no name to be known by, Let us call thee Devil!--SHAKESPEARE. After an absence of fifteen months, Oswald Waring and his inseparable companion, Valentine, returned home. Not in all respects was the master or the man improved by travel, as circumstances soon demonstrated. Mr. Waring brought back the same benevolent, careless, mirthful, yet occasionally arrogant temper, that had always distinguished him; and Valentine, the same affectionate, aspiring, quick, inflammable nature, that made his conduct so uncertain.