im to the
door, observing that his heart was too full for utterance. But in a
little time his wife bursting into the room with her five children,
looked around, and going up to Sir Launcelot without any direction,
exclaimed, "This is the angel sent by Providence to succour me and my
poor innocents." Then falling at his feet, she pressed his hand and
bathed it with her tears. He raised her up with that complacency which
was natural to his disposition. He kissed all her children, who were
remarkably handsome and neatly kept, though in homely apparel; and,
giving her his direction, assured her she might always apply to him in
her distress.

After her departure, he produced a bank-note of twenty pounds, and would
have deposited it in the hands of Mr. Felton, to be distributed in
charities among the objects of the place; but he desired it might be left
with Mr. Norton, who was the proper person for managing his benevolence,
and he promised to assist the deputy with his advice in laying it out.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

IN WHICH CAPTAIN CROWE IS SUBLIMED INTO THE REGIONS ON ASTROLOGY.

Three whole days had our adventurer prosecuted his inquiry about the
amiable Aurelia, whom he sought in every place of public and of private
entertainment or resort, without obtaining the least satisfactory
intelligence, when he received one evening, from the hands of a porter,
who instantly vanished, the following billet:

"If you would learn the particulars of Miss Darnel's fate fail not to be
in the fields by the Foundling Hospital, precisely at seven o'clock this
evening, when you shall be met by a person who will give you the
satisfaction you desire, together with his reason for addressing you in
this mysterious manner."

Had this intimation concerned any other subject, perhaps the knight would
have deliberated with himself in what manner he should take a hint so
darkly communicated. But his eagerness to retrieve the jewel he had lost
divested him of all his caution; the time of assignation was already at
hand, and neither the captain nor his nephew could be found to accompany
him, had he been disposed to make use of their attendance. He therefore,
after a moment's hesitation, repaired to the place appointed, in the
utmost agitation and anxiety, lest the hour should be elapsed before his
arrival.

Crowe was one of those defective spirits who cannot subsist for any
length of time on their own bottoms. He wanted a familiar