instances, by concealing the birth of the child, I was
depriving it of its property, and obtaining it for myself. That I was
ignorant of these points is certain, and unfortunate it was that it was
so, for had I known it, I would not have dared to conceal the birth of
the child, lest I should have been accused of having done so for
pecuniary considerations, and I well knew, that if betrayed by my nurse,
such would be the accusation made against me. I would willingly even
now, have acknowledged the child as my nephew, but knew not how to do
so, as my husband had possession of the money, and I dared not confess
the crime that I had been guilty of. If ever retribution fell upon any
one, it fell upon me. My life was one of perfect misery, and when I
found that my nurse and her father objected to keeping the secret any
longer, I thought I should have gone distracted. I pointed out to them
the ruin they would entail upon me, and gave my solemn promise that I
would see justice done to the child. This satisfied them. For several
years I lived an unhappy life with my husband, until I was at last
relieved by his death. You may ask how it was that I did not
acknowledge the child at his death; the fact was, that I was afraid. I
had put him to school, and he was then twelve or thirteen years old. I
removed him to my own house, with the intention of so doing, and because
my nurse and her father reminded me of my promise; but when he was in my
house, I could not see my way, or how I could tell the story without
acknowledging my guilt, and this pride prevented.

"I remained thus irresolute, every day putting off the confession, till
the boy, from first being allowed to remain in the drawing-room, sank
down into the kitchen. Yes, Valerie, Lionel, the page, the lacquey, is
Lionel Dempster, my nephew. I said that I could not bear to make the
avowal, and such is the case. At last I satisfied myself that what I
did was for the boy's good. Alas! how easy we satisfy ourselves when it
suits our views. I had left him my property, I had educated him, and I
said, by being brought up in a humble position, he will be cured of
pride, and will make a better man. Bad reasoning, I acknowledge.

"Valerie, I have left you my executrix, for even after my death I would
as much as possible avoid exposure. I would not be the tale of the
town, even for a fortnight, and it certainly will not help Lionel, when
it is known to all the world that h