to the inn, I was able to reply to all the interrogatories
which were put to me relative to my supposed relations, thanks to the
garrulity of old Roberts, and put many questions relative to the family
residing at the hall, which were freely answered. As the evening
advanced, many people came in, and the noise and smoking were so
disagreeable to me, that I asked for a bed, and retired. The next
morning I repaired to old Roberts, who appeared delighted to see me.

"`You are a good boy,' said he, `to come and see a poor bedridden old
man, who has not a soul that comes near him perhaps in a week. And now
tell me what took place during your last voyage.'

"`The last vessel I was on board of,' replied I, `was a packet from
Dover to Calais.'

"`Well, that must be pleasant; so many passengers.'

"`Yes, sir; and who do you think I saw on board of the packet the other
day--somebody that you know.'

"`Ay, who?'

"`Why Lady R--,' replied I, `and that young gentleman who, I heard say,
once lived with her as her servant.'

"`Ay!' said the old man, `indeed! then she has done justice at last.
I'm glad on it, Harry, glad on it, for it's a relief to my mind. I was
bound to the secret, and have kept it; but when a man is on the brink of
the grave, he does not like to have a secret like that upon his mind,
and I've more than once talked to my daughter about--'

"`What, aunt Green?'

"`Yes, your aunt Green; but she would never listen to me. We both took
our oath, and she said it was binding; besides, we were paid for it.
Well, well, I thank God, for it's a great load off my mind.'

"`Yes, sir,' replied I, `you need not keep the secret any longer now.'

"`And how has he grown up?' said the old man; `is he good-looking?'

"`Very much so, sir,' replied I, `and looks very much like a
gentleman.'"

I could not help laughing at this part of Lionel's story, although I
could not but admit the truth. Lionel observed it, and said, "You
cannot be surprised at my giving myself a good character, Miss Valerie,
for, as they say in the kitchen, it's all that a poor servant has to
depend upon."

"Go on," replied I.

"`He was a very fine child while he lived with us; but he was taken away
at six years old, and I have never seen him since.'

"`Some people say that he is very like Lady R--.'

"`Well, why should he not be? ay, she was once a very beautiful young
person.'

"`Well, grandfather, I have never heard the rights of that st