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 how 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 a promise which he made your mother."

"My mother! what, have they met since?"

"Yes; your mother went out to India on speculation, passing off as a
single girl, and was very well married there, I was going to say;
however, she committed a very splendid bigamy."

"Good heavens! how totally destitute of principle!"

"Your father asserts that your mother was a freethinker, Japhet; her
father had made her one; without religion a woman has no stay. Your
father was in the up country during the time that your mother arrived,
and was married to one of the council of Calcutta. Your father says
that they met at a ball at Government House. She was still a very
handsome woman, and much admired. When your father recognised her, and
was told that she was late