"In another week," I exclaimed, as I strode through the apartment--"yes, in less than a week, I shall obtain my majority: I shall be free, and then farewell to this accursed house of bondage for ever!" Theophilus had not been home many days, before I perceived a decided alteration in the once friendly greetings I had been accustomed to receive from Mr. Moncton's guests. I was no longer invited to their parties, or treated with those flattering marks of attention which had been so gratifying to my vanity, and given me such an exalted idea of my own consequence. At first I was at a loss to imagine what had produced this sudden change. One simple sentence at length solved all these unpleasant doubts, and pressed the unwelcome truth home to my heart. Robert Moncton had been reconciled to his son, and I was once more regarded as only a _poor relation_. The day I made this important discovery, I had been detained at the office long after our usual dinner-hour, and meeting with a friend on my way home, I sauntered with him several times up and down Regent Street, before I returned to my uncle's house. I was not aware that my uncle expected company that day, until informed by Saunders in the hall, that a large party were assembled in the dining-room. I was a little provoked at not receiving any intimation of the event, and in being too late for appearing at dinner, the third course having been placed on the table; but I hurried away to my own apartment to change my dress, and join the ladies in the drawing-room. This important duty was scarcely effected, before Saunders entered with a tray covered with dainties, which he had catered for my benefit. "I was determined, Mr. Geoffrey, that they should not have all the good things to themselves. Here is an excellent cut of salmon and lobster-sauce; the plump breast of a partridge, and a slice of delicious ham--besides, the sunkets. If you cannot make a good dinner off these, why, I says, that you deserves to be hungry." And throwing a snowy napkin over a small table near the fire, he deposited the tray and its tempting contents thereon, placed my chair, and stood behind it with beaming eyes, his jolly, rosy face radiant with good-nature and benevolence. I thanked him heartily for his attention to my comfort, and being tired and hungry, did ample justice to the meal he had provided. "This party has been got up in a hurry, Saunders?" "Not at all, sir. I carried out the invitations four days ago." "You surprise me!" said I, dropping my knife and fork. "Four days ago--and I know nothing about it. That is something new."