ctor's letter, and resuming his reading as soon as
possible, without having any definite idea of what Mrs. Judith had been
showing him.

On the very last page he found these words:

"I have made most diligent searche for your family as you required
butt I have not discovered muche that will be to your satisfaction.
I send you, Sir, a coppie of certain things sette down in the
Parish Register of St. Clement Danes, wch I thoughte most like to
be of interest to you. Bye these you will discover that Walter
Sanford Browne was born the 27 daye of the moneth of Febuarie
1721--wch will no doubt give you exacte knowledge of your owne age.
The father and mother of Walter Sanford Browne bore the names
Walter and Susan respectively wch is a fact that will not be
indifferent to you I suppose. I finde that Walter Browne aforesd,
who is sette down a scrivener, was married at this same church of
St. Clements on the 22 daye of Marche in the year 1720 to Anne
Sanford of the same parish. Theire daughter Susan was borne in
Aprill 1725, as you will see by this transcripte made by the clarke
of the parish. The clarke cannot discover any further mencion of
this familie nor of the name of Sanford in this register downe to
this present time, from wch he deems it is to be inferred that sd.
Walter Browne long since removed out of that parish, in particular
as the present wardens and sidesmen of the parish afresd do not
know any man of that name now residente there. It is a probabilitie
that yr. father has removed to one of the plantations. I have made
public advertisement in the Gazettes for your father or any neare
kinsman but w'out any successe whatsoever."

There followed a memorandum of pounds, shillings, and pence paid to the
"clarke" of the parish of St. Clement Danes, of money paid for
advertisements in the gazettes, and of expenses incurred in further
searches made by a solicitor. That was all--the end of hope to Sanford
Browne. He went into the sitting-room and put the factor's letter into
a little clothespress that stood beside the chimney, and then strode
out into the air, giving no heed to Judith, who had gone up the stairs
at the side of the passage, and come down again wearing a hideous
pannier petticoat under her new frock. She guessed her husband's
disappointment, and, though she longed for a word of admiration, or at
least of wondering