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It is generally supposed that I am about to enter into a large property when I come of age; now, so far from that being the case, I have nothing in the world but a bare competence, and the friendship of Lord Windermear. In fact, I am a deserted child, ignorant of my parents, and most anxious to discover them, as I have every reason to suppose that I am of no mean birth.
"Until I find out my father," replied I. "Everything is put off till that time arrives, I observe," said Timothy. "Other people will soon be as interested in the search as yourself." "I wish they were; unfortunately it is a secret, which cannot be divulged." A ring at the bell called Timothy down stairs; he returned with a letter, it was from Lord Windermear, and ran as follows:
He has many secrets, much more important than yours. Wishing you every success that your perseverance deserves, Believe me, "Yours very truly, "Windermear." "I believe the advice to be good," said I, after reading the letter. "I am myself at fault, and hardly know how to proceed. I think I will go at once to the old gentleman, Timothy." "It can do no harm, if it does no good.
"I can assure you, sir," said Lord Windermear, proudly, "that this is my relative, Major Carbonnell, and the other is my friend, Mr Newland. I will bail them for any sum you please." The magistrate felt astonished and annoyed, for, after all, he had only done his duty. Before he could reply, a man came from the shop to say that the laces had been found all right.
In a quarter of an hour, during which the conversation was animated, we rose to take our leave, when her ladyship came up to me, and offering her hand said, "Mr Newland, the friendship of Lord Windermear, and the introduction of Major Carbonnell, are more than sufficient to induce me to put your name down on my visiting list.
Harcourt then took his leave, and I returned to my father, with whom I found Lord Windermear. "De Benyon, I am happy to see you again," said his lordship. "I have just been giving a very good character of you to the general; I hope you will continue to deserve it." "I hope so too, my lord; I should be ungrateful, indeed, if I did not, after my father's kindness to me."
"You shall repent it, sir, by God," cried the magistrate, in a great passion. "Put five shillings in the box for swearing, Mr B . You fine other people," said the Major. "Here is my other confederate, Lord Windermear." "Carbonnell," said Lord Windermear, "what is all this?"
I was satisfied, and then casually asked him if he had written to Lord Windermear to inform him of his arrival. "No," replied he; "I shall write to-morrow." He soon after retired to his own apartment, and I rang for Timothy. "Good heavens, sir!" cried Timothy, "what is all this and what are you about? I am frightened out of my wits. Why, sir, our money will not last two months."
Driven to desperation, I have lost all I had in the world, by adding gaming to my many follies. I now am about to seek my fortune, and prosecute my search after my father. You will, therefore, return my most sincere acknowledgments to Lord Windermear, for his kind offers and intentions, and assure him that my feelings towards him will always be those of gratitude and respect.
"Sir," replied Major Carbonnell, sneeringly, "you are certainly a very good judge of a gentleman, when you happen by accident to be in his company. With your leave, I will send a note to another confederate." The major then wrote a note to Lord Windermear, which he despatched by Timothy, who, hearing I was in trouble, had accompanied the major.
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