ready _almost_ found a father. Excuse me, my
lord, but did your lordship ever--ever--"

"I know what you would say, my poor fellow: no, I never did. I never
was blessed with children. Had I been, I should not have felt that I
was disgraced by having one resembling you. Allow me to entreat you,
Mr Newland, that you do not suffer the mystery of your birth to weigh
so heavily on your mind; and now I wish you good morning, and if you
think I can be useful to you, I beg that you will not fail to let me
know."

"May Heaven pour down blessings on your head," replied I, kissing
respectfully his lordship's hand; "and may my father, when I find him,
be as like unto you as possible." I made my obeisance, and quitted the
house.

PART ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

THE MAJOR PREVENTS THE LANDLORD FROM IMPOSING ON ME, BUT I GAIN NOTHING
BY HIS INTERFERENCE--FOR ECONOMICAL REASONS I AGREE TO LIVE WITH HIM
THAT HE MAY LIVE ON ME.

I returned to the hotel, for my mind had been much agitated, and I
wished for quiet, and the friendship of Timothy. As soon as I arrived I
told him all that had passed.

"Indeed," replied Timothy, "things do now wear a pleasant aspect; for I
am afraid, that without that thousand, we could not have carried on for
a fortnight longer. The bill here is very heavy, and I'm sure the
landlord wishes to see the colour of his money."

"How much do you think we have left? It is high time, Timothy, that we
now make up our accounts, and arrange some plans for the future,"
replied I. "I have paid the jeweller and the tailor, by the advice of
the major, who says, that you should always pay your _first bills_ as
soon as possible, and all your subsequent bills as late as possible; and
if put off _sine die_, so much the better. In fact, I owe very little
now, but the bill here--I will send for it to-night."

Here we were interrupted by the entrance of the landlord. "O Mr
Wallace, you are the very person I wished to see; let me have my bill,
if you please."

"It's not of the least consequence, sir," replied he; "but if you wish
it, I have posted down to yesterday," and the landlord left the room.

"You were both of one mind, at all events," said Timothy, laughing; "for
he had the bill in his hand, and concealed it the moment you asked for
it."

In about ten minutes the landlord re-appeared, and presenting the bill
upon a salver, made his bow and retired. I looked it over: it amounted
to 104 pounds;