the justice-room was sprinkling me with water, another
holding a vinaigrette to me, my father chafing my temples, and the
justice standing near, looking on, not with the stern countenance he had
before shown, but as if he really pitied me. I tried to rouse myself,
and, as soon as I could speak, apologised to the ladies for the trouble
I had given them.

'Compose yourself, my dear,' said the elder of the two. 'To see you well
is all we wish.'

I was now able to sit upright. My father sat beside me, and, putting his
arms around me, pressed me to his bosom. I leaned my head against him,
and the tears rolled fast down my face; but they were no longer the
chilling tears of sorrow I had long been used to shed, they were tears
of joy and gladness at being restored to a kind father, to whom I had
feared I was lost for ever. When he spoke, I seemed to recollect the
tones of his voice; the scenes of my early childhood returned to my
memory, and I asked him if he had not been used to call me his Annie and
his little darling.

'Yes, my dear,' he replied, 'that I certainly did, But tell me, my
child, by what miracle your life was preserved from the perils of the
sea, and what was the final fate of your unfortunate mother.'

'My dear mother died at E----,' I replied; 'but I do not know what you
mean by the perils of the sea, for I was never upon it that I know of
in my life; and now, my dear father, tell me why you went away and left
us, and has the Earl forgiven you yet?'

'Ah! my child,' said my father, with a deep sigh, 'I see that we have
each a tale to tell, but it must be deferred till your spirits are more
composed. And now, Sir Robert,' turning to the justice, 'I can only
apologise for the great trouble we have given you this morning.'

'My dear lord,' replied the justice, whose name was Sir Robert Eldridge,
'accept my warmest congratulations on the happy discovery of your
daughter; and to you, Lady Anne, I beg leave to return the portrait of
your father, which has fortunately been the means of your being restored
to his protection.'

A few more compliments having passed, we were departing, when Sir Robert
said:

'What is your lordship's pleasure respecting the Sharpleys? Shall I
remand them to prison for another examination?'

'My dear father,' said I, 'for my sake have pity on Mr. Sharpley and his
wife, for indeed they have been very kind to me.'

'If they have been so, my child,' replied my father, 'I shall cer