University of Virginia Library

3. CHAPTER III.
THE BOARDERS.

The first who engaged lodgings was Miss Mehitabel
Lamson, a moderately endowed and invalid
spinster. How came that class of females, called
old maids, to be vilified and held up to contempt!
The majority of those I have known have been
most worthy of praise; and Miss Lamson was an
example of goodness. She became acquainted with
the Moreys soon after their misfortunes, assisted
Mrs. Morey during the sickness of her husband,
and now came to give her countenance to their establishment.
She took the small parlour that opened
out of the dining-room, because she was too feeble
to walk up and down stairs.

The whole of the second floor was taken by Mr.
Danvers. He broke up his expensive establishment,
as his wife said, purposely, out of friendship
for Mr. Morey; he wished to encourage this effort
at independence. They offered a high price for
the suit of rooms, more than the Moreys had intended
to ask. Mr. Morey would have refused it

and them, if his gentle wife had not plead, almost
with tears, that the sacrifice might be made.

“They only come to insult us,” said Mr. Morey,
speaking through his set teeth. “There has been
a time when Danvers would have thought himself
honoured for life by the privilege of sitting at my
table—and now he talks of encouraging me!”

Mr. Morey wronged him. Danvers had no wish
either to insult or encourage the fallen man. The
plan of the boarding was entirely managed by Mrs.
Danvers. She had in her youth cherished a feeling
of love, or admiration rather, for the dashing Richard
Morey,—she had manœuvred to gain his attention,
and hoped to win him, when the fair orphan
destroyed all her plans. Mrs. Danvers had hated
Isabel Erskine—she had envied Mrs. Morey, and
now the opportunity of exultation over her fallen
rival promised her most exquisite gratification.

The third floor was, at first, occupied by two
young gentlemen, friends of the Danvers';—one
soon after sailed for Europe, and the very day of
his departure, Mr. Lassar presented himself. He
was a stranger, but of what country he did not say.
He brought a letter of recommendation from the
Portuguese consul at Washington, and he had a
Portuguese servant; these appearances seemed to
warrant him of that country. Then his appearance

was decidedly foreign. His dark eye, sallow complexion,
and huge mustachios, were a never-exhausted
topic of comment for Mrs. Danvers. She
admired poetry and the picturesque. How could
she avoid admiring a man whose appearance was so
beautifully Byronian? He was a walking edition
of the Corsair and Giaour. She never saw him appear
without a thrill of awe and curiosity.

Who was Mr. Lassar? Nobody could tell. He
evidently had plenty of money.

A few weeks after his arrival, the young gentleman
who occupied the contiguous chamber, gave
Mrs. Morey warning that he should leave her. He
said that he must board nearer his store. The truth
was, the young shopkeeper felt annoyed by the
presence of the dark stranger, who, he had ascertained,
kept his percussion pistols always loaded.

Mrs. Morey told her husband that Mr. — was
going, and the vacant apartment might be let.

“I will take it,” said Mr. Lassar. “How much
did Mr. — pay?” She told him.

“My servant will settle for a quarter's rent in
advance,” said Lassar.

“How very odd!” said Mrs. Danvers. “What
can he want of two such apartments? Who is he?”