My uncle regarded me with the same icy glance which froze my blood when a child, while I recapitulated my wrongs, with all the eloquence which passion gives--passion which makes even the slow of speech act the part of an orator. He listened to me with a smile of derision. Carried beyond the bounds of prudence, I told him, that I would no longer be subjected to such degrading tyranny; that his deceitful conduct had cancelled all ties of obligation between us; that the favours lately conferred upon me, I now saw had only been bestowed to effect my ruin; that he had been acting a base and treacherous game with me to further his own dishonest views; that I was fully aware of his motives, and appreciated them as they deserved; that he well knew the story of my illegitimacy was a forgery, that I had the means to prove it one, and would do it shortly; that the term of my articles would expire on the following day, and I would then leave his house for ever and seek my own living. "You may do so to-day," he replied, in the same cool sarcastic tone; and unlocking his desk he took out the indentures. A sudden terror seized me. Something in his look threatened danger: I drew a quicker breath, and advanced a few paces nearer. All my hopes were centered in that sheet of parchment, to obtain which, I had endured seven years of cruel bondage. "No, no," said I, mentally, "he cannot be such a villain--he dare not do it!" The next moment the fatal scroll lay torn and defaced at my feet. A cry of despair burst from my lips: I sprang forward, and with one blow laid him senseless at my feet, and fled from the house. I saw Robert Moncton but once again. Recollection shudders when I recall that dreadful meeting. I walked rapidly down the street, perfectly unconscious that I was without my hat, and that the rain was falling in torrents; or that I was an object of curiosity to the passers-by. Some one caught my arm. I turned angrily round to shake off the intruder--it was my friend Harrison. "In the name of Heaven! Geoffrey, tell me what has happened? What is the matter--are you in your right senses? Have you quarrelled with your uncle? Let me return with you to the house," were questions he asked in a breath. "_My uncle!_ he is an infernal scoundrel!" I exclaimed, throwing out my clenched hand, and hurrying on still faster. "Oh, that I could crush him with one blow of this fist!" "Geoffrey, you are mad--do you know what you say?" "Perfectly well--stand back, and let me kill him!" He put his arm forcibly round me. "Calm yourself, Geoffrey. What has caused this dreadful excitement? Good Heavens! how you tremble. Lean upon me--heavier yet. The arm of a sincere friend supports you--one who will never desert you, let what will befall." "Leave me, George, to my fate. I have been shamefully treated, and I don't care what becomes of me."