lady of the manor and the wife of the
lowly huntsman were both looking forward with anxious expectation to
the birth of their first-born.

"At midnight, on the 10th of October, 1804, an heir was given to the
proud house of Moncton; a weak, delicate, puny babe, who nearly cost
his mother her life. At the same hour, in the humble cottage at the
entrance of that rich domain, your poor friend, George Harrison (or
Philip Mornington, which is my real name) was launched upon the stormy
ocean of life."

At this part of Harrison's narrative I fell back upon my pillow and
groaned heavily.

George flew to my assistance, raising me in his arms and sprinkling
my face with water.

"Are you ill, dear Geoffrey?"

"Not ill, George, but grieved: sick at heart, that you should be
grandson to that dreadful old hag."

"We cannot choose our parentage," said George, sorrowfully. "The
station in which we are born, constitutes fate in this world; it is the
only thing pertaining to man over which his will has no control. We can
destroy our own lives, but our birth is entirely in the hands of
Providence. Could I have ordered it otherwise, I certainly should have
chosen a different mother."

He smiled mournfully, and bidding me to lie down and keep quiet,
resumed his tale.

"The delicate state of Lady Moncton's health precluding her from
nursing her child, my mother was chosen as substitute, and the weakly
infant was entrusted to her care. The noble mother was delighted with
the attention which Rachel bestowed upon the child, and loaded her with
presents. As to me, I was given into Dinah's charge, who felt small
remorse in depriving me of my natural food, if anything in the shape of
money was to be gained by the sacrifice. The physicians recommended
change of air for Lady Moncton's health; and Sir Alexander fixed on
Italy as the climate most likely to benefit his ailing and beloved
wife.

"My mother was offered large sums to accompany them, which she
steadfastly declined. Lady Moncton wept and entreated, but Rachel
Mornington was resolute in her refusal. 'No money,' she said, 'should
tempt her to desert her husband and child, much as she wished to oblige
Lady Moncton.'

"The infant heir of Moncton was thriving under her care, and she seemed
to love the baby, if possible, better than she did her own. Sir
Alexander and the physician persuaded Lady Moncton, though she yielded
most reluctantly to their wishes, to overcome her maternal