A short conversation with Roland completed the agreement, and, as he was only engaged temporarily at Mr. Dean's, it was soon announced that he must get another in his place, for in a week more he would leave for a more lucrative situation. Roland soon found himself among people infinitely more refined, for Edgar and Helen Thornly were both attractive young persons. Edgar had just returned from college; a gay young fellow, whose chief occupation in life was the pursuit of pleasure; and Helen, a lovely young girl, not long home from boarding-school. Treated in all respects as an equal, he found the home circle at Mr. Thornly's peculiarly agreeable, and in return for these benefits, rendered at all times most faithful service to his generous employer. Roland often felt concerned for the petted son of Mr. Thornly; for furnished constantly with a full purse, he had ample opportunity of enjoying the pleasures of the gay world, and was becoming very rapidly one of the fast young men of New York. It was true that he had a desk at his father's office, but it was seldom occupied for any length of time by the young man; for late hours at night made corresponding hours in the morning; and, in the afternoon, a drive with a fast horse generally closed the day. Mr. Thornly occasionally remonstrated. "Just wait a little, father; you know that I have been shut up so long at college, that it seems hard to go to work as soon us I come home. I will be a smart lawyer yet." "Brother," said Helen, "whom do you think I met to-day in Broadway? my old school-friend, Madeline Hamilton; she is in New York, spending the Christmas vacation with Mary Trevor." "Won't you invite her here, sister? I feel quite anxious to see your 'queen of beauty.'" "You need not try to captivate Madeline; she is as proud as Juno, and so far, quite indifferent to beaux." "She'll have plenty of admirers, sis, when she bursts upon the world with all her wealth and beauty." Roland heard the announcement of her presence in New York with mingled feelings--she was a young lady now, how would she meet the old friend of his childish days? "Roland, are you fond of music?" asked young Thornly. "Extravagantly, but I have never heard any of the celebrated singers." "We are going to the opera to-night; will you accompany us?" Roland was a novice in the world of New York, and thinking only of the music, he consented, and accompanied the party. Bewildered at first with the delicious music, he scarcely thought of the adjuncts; but the uncovered forms, the freedom of the actresses, the sentiments of the opera translated into English, shocked his sense of delicacy; and when he looked around at the crowds of fair young faces, looking and listening without a blush to much that was enacting before them, he felt convinced that this was no place for a Christian youth, and resolved accordingly.