ty of the two. Their marriage
was not known, she had run away on a pretence to visit a relative, and
it was actually supposed in the county town where she resided, that such
was the case. 'Why should we quarrel in this way?' observed she. 'You,
Edmund, wished to marry a fortune, and not me--I may plead guilty to the
same duplicity. We have made a mistake; but it is not too late. It is
supposed that I am on a visit to--, and that you are on furlough for a
few days. Did you confide your secret to any of your brother officers?'
'Not one,' muttered your father. 'Well, then, let us part as if nothing
had happened, and nobody will be the wiser. We are equally interested in
keeping the secret. Is it agreed?'--Your father immediately consented. He
accompanied your mother to the house at ----, where she was expected, and
she framed a story for her delay, by having met such a very polite young
man. Your father returned to his regiment, and thus did they, like two
privateers, who when they meet and engage, as soon as they find out their
mistake, hoist their colours, and sheer off by mutual consent."

"I can't say much for my mother's affection or delicacy," observed I.

"The less you say the better, Japhet--however, that is your father's
story. And now to proceed. It appears that, about two months afterwards,
your father received a letter from your mother, acquainting him that
their short intercourse had been productive of certain results, and
requesting that he would take the necessary steps to provide for the
child, and avoid exposure, or that she would be obliged to confess her
marriage. By what means they contrived to avoid exposure until the period
of her confinement, I know not, but your father states that the child was
born in a house in London, and by agreement, was instantly put into his
hands; that he, with the consent of his wife, left you at the door of
the Asylum, with the paper and the bank note, from which you received
the name of Newland. At the time, he had no idea of reclaiming you
himself, but the mother had, for heartless as she appears to have been,
yet a mother must feel for her child. Your father's regiment was then
ordered out to the East Indies, and he was rapidly promoted for his
gallantry and good conduct during the war in the Mysore territory. Once
only has he returned home on furlough, and then he did make inquiries
after you; not, it appears, with a view of finding you out on his own
account, but from