much as he was able; trusting that Heaven would by some means help his dear friend. He retired to the country to decrease his expense, and lived upon little. But the exorbitant demands of his thoughtless friend, in two years not only reduced his fortune, but beggared him. When Edmund found this, he grieved deeply that he could no longer supply him; and was pained to know how best to tell it to him, knowing that the truth, if told, would make him most miserable. So he disguised it; and sent to him, saying that he could only supply him with a little, as he had honourable demands upon him, for a large debt contracted by his late father, which could not be paid for some time.
Having done this, he set diligently about working for a livelihood for himself, and a supply for his friend; and being a man of some genius, he undertook the defence of certain public matters for the people; and by this means obtained a comfortable income. His fortune, however, turned (and that for the better) most suddenly and unexpectedly; and as a reward for his great patience and gentleness, he at last succeeded in gaining all that his heart most ardently desired.
One evening, after having made a most suc-
