第12章

Aftertwenty-fourhoursofhighdelirium，thephysicianssucceededinsubduingtheworstsymptoms；buttheattacktookthecharacterofabiliousfever，andthepatient\'srecoverywasthoughtverydoubtfulfromthefirst。PoorJanesatlistlesslyinthesick-room，lookingonandweeping，unheededbyherhusband，whowouldallownoonebuthismothertocomenearhim，notevenhiswifeorhissisters；hewouldnot，indeed，permithismothertoleavehissightforamoment，hiseyesfollowingeverymovementofher\'swiththefeverishrestlessnessofdisease，andthehelplessdependenceofachild。Janemournedandwept；

Adelinehadatleastthemeritofactivity，andmadeherselfusefulasanassistantnurse，inpreparingwhateverwasneededbyherbrother。Thesetwoyoungwomen，whohadbeensooftentogetherinbrilliantscenesofgaiety，werenow，forthefirsttime，unitedunderaroofofsorrowandsuffering。

“Thatlovelyyoungcreatureisaperfectpictureofhelplessgrief！”thoughtoneofthephysicians，ashelookedatJane。

Foraweek，TallmanTaylorcontinuedinthesamestate。

Occasionally，ashetalkedwiththewildincoherencyofdelirium，heutteredsentencespainfultohear，astheyrecalleddeedsoffollyandvice；wordspassedhislipswhichweredistressingtoallpresent，butwhichsunkdeepintotheheartofthesickman\'smother。Atlengthhefellintoastupor，andafterlingeringforadayortwointhatstate，heexpired，withouthavingfullyrecoveredhisconsciousnessforamoment。Thehandsome，reckless，dashingsonoftherichmerchantlayonhisbier；acareerofselfishenjoymentandguiltyfollywassuddenlyclosedbythegrave。

MissAgnes\'sheartsunkwithinherasshestood，silent，besidethecoffinofJane\'shusband，rememberinghowlatelyshehadseentheyoungman，fulloflifeandvigour，thoughtlesslydevotingthebestenergiesofbodyandsoultoculpableself-indulgence。

Itismelancholyindeed，torecordsuchaclosetosuchalife；

andyetitisaneventrepeatedinthegayworldwitheveryyearthatpasses。ItistobefearedtherewerecompanionsofTallmanTaylor\'s，pursuingthesamecourseofwickedfolly，whichhadbeensosuddenlyinterruptedbeforetheireyes，whoyetnevergaveoneseriousthoughttothesubject：iftheypaused，itwasonlyforamoment，whiletheyfollowedtheirfriendtothegrave；

fromthencehurryingagaintothesameungrateful，recklessabuseoflife，anditshighestblessings。

Janewasdoublyafflictedatthismoment；herbabysickenedsoonafteritsreturntotown，anddiedonlyafewdaysafterherhusband；theyoungfatherandhisinfantboywerelaidinthesamegrave。

Janeherselfwasillforatime，andwhenshepartiallyrecovered，wasveryanxioustoaccompanyMissAgnesandElinortoWyllys-Roof——aspotwhereshehadpassedsomanypeacefulhours，thatshelongedagaintoseekshelterthere。Shehadlovedherhusband，asfarasitwasinhernaturetolove；butherattachmentswereneververystrongorverytender，andTallmanTaylor\'sneglectandunkindnessduringthepastyear，hadinsomemeasurechilledherfirstfeelingsforhim。Shenow，however，lookeduponherselfasthemostafflictedofhumanbeings；thedeathofherbabyhadindeedtouchedthekeenestchordinherbosom——sheweptoveritbitterly。

Adelinethoughtmoreseriouslyatthetimeofherbrother\'sdeaththanshehadeverdonebefore：andevenEmmaTaylor\'sspiritsweresoberedforamoment。Mr。Taylor，thefather，nodoubtfeltthelossofhiseldestson，thoughfarlessthanmanyparentswouldhavedone；hewasnotsomuchoverwhelmedbygrief，butwhathecouldorderaveryhandsomefuneral，andprojectanexpensivemarblemonument——aFASHIONABLETOMB-STONEofItalianmarble。Hewassoonabletoresumeallhisusualpursuits，andeventhetenorofhisthoughtsseemedlittlechanged，forhismindwasasmuchoccupiedasusualwithWall-Streetaffairs，carryingoutoldplans，orlayingnewschemesofprofit。Hehadnowbeenarichmanforseveralyears，yethewasinfactlesshappythanwhenhebeganhiscareer，andhadeverythingtolookforwardto。Stillhecontinuedthepursuitsofbusiness，forwithouttheexcitingfearsandhopesoflossandgain，lifewouldhaveappearedamonotonousscenetohim；leisurecouldonlyproveaburthen，foritwouldbemerelyidleness，sincehehadnotastestomakeiteitherpleasantoruseful。Hisschemesoflatehadnotbeensobrilliantlysuccessfulasatthecommencementofhiscourseofspeculation；fortuneseemedcoquettingwithheroldfavourite；hehadrecentlymadeseveralinvestmentswhichhadprovedbutindifferentintheirresults。Notthathehadmetwithseriouslosses；onthecontrary，hewasstillagaineratthegameofspeculation；buttheamountwasverytrifling。Hehadrapidlyadvancedtoacertaindistanceontheroadtowealth，butitnowseemedasifhecouldnotpassthatpoint；thebrilliantdreamsinwhichhehadindulgedwereonlyhalfrealized。Thereseemednogoodwayofaccountingforthispauseinhiscareer，butsuchwasthefact；hewasjustasshrewdandcalculating，justasenterprisingnowashehadbeentenyearsbefore，butcertainlyhewasnotsosuccessful。

Oncommencinganexaminationofhisson\'saffairs，hefoundthatTallmanTaylor\'sextravaganceandfollyhadlefthiswidowandchildworsethanpenniless，forhehaddiedheavilyindebt。

ReturningoneafternoonfromWall-Street，Mr。Taylortalkedoverthismatterwithhiswife。OfallTallmanTaylor\'ssurvivingfriends，hismotherwastheonewhomostdeeplyfelthisdeath；

shewasheart-stricken，andshedbittertearsovertheyoungman。

“Thereisnothingleft，Hester，forthechildorhermother，“

saidthemerchant，sittingdowninarocking-chairinhiswife\'sroom。“Allgone；allwasted；fivetimesthecapitalIhadtobeginwith。Ihavejustmadeaninvestment，ofwhichIshallgivetheprofitstoTallman\'slady；fourlotsthatwereofferedtomelastweek；ifthatturnsoutwell，Ishallgoon，anditmayperhapsmakeupaprettypropertyforthechild，intime。“

“Oh，husband，don\'ttalktomeaboutsuchthingsnow；Ican\'tthinkofanythingbutmypoorboy\'sdeath！”

“Itwasanunexpectedcalamity，Hester，“saidthefather，withonenaturallookofsorrow；“butwecannotalwaysescapetroubleinthisworld。“

“Ifeelasifwehadnotdoneourdutybyhim！”saidthepoormother。

“Whynot？-hewasveryhandsomelysetupinbusiness，“

remonstratedMt。Taylor。

“Iwasnotthinkingofmoney，“repliedhiswife，shakingherhead。“Butitseemsasifweonlytookhimawayfrommybrother\'s，inthecountry，justtothrowhiminthewayoftemptationashewasgrowingup，andlethimrunwild，anddoeverythinghetookafancyto。“

“Wedidnomorethanotherparents，intakinghimhomewithus，togivehimabettereducationthanhecouldhavegotatyourbrother\'s。“

“Husband，husband！——itisbutapooreducationthatdon\'tteachachildtodowhatisright！Ifeelasifwehadnevertaughthimwhatweoughtto。Ididnotknowhehadgotsomanybadwaysuntillately；andnowthatIdoknowit，myheartisbroken！”

“Tallmanwasnotsobadasyoumakehimout。HewasnoworsethanadozenotheryounggentlemenIcouldnameatthisveryminute。“

“Oh；Iwouldgiveeverythingweareworthtobringhimback！——butitistoolate——toolate！”

“Nouseintalkingnow，Hester。“

“Weoughttohavetakenmorepainswithhim。Hedidn\'tknowthedangerhewasin，andwedid，orweoughttohaveknownit。

Takingayoungmanofasudden，fromaquiet，minister\'sfamilyinthecountry，likemybrother\'s，andgivinghimallthemoneyhewanted，andturninghimoutintotemptation——Oh，it\'sdreadful！”

“Allthepainsintheworld，Hester，won\'thelpayoungman，unlesshechooseshimself。WhatcouldIdo，oryoueither？Didn\'twesendhimtoschoolandtocollege？——didn\'twegivehimanopportunityofbeginninglifewithafineproperty，andmarriedtooneofthehandsomestgirlsinthecountry，daughterofoneofthebestfamilies，too？Whatmorecanyoudoforayoungman？Hemustdotheresthimself；youcan\'texpecttokeephimtiedtoyourapron-stringallhislife。“

“Oh，no；buthusband，whilehewasyoungweoughttohavetakenmorepainstoteachhimnottothinksomuchaboutthewaysoftheworld。Thereareotherthingsbesidesgettingmoneyandspendingmoney，todo；itseemstomenowasifmoneyhadonlyhelpedmypoorboytohisruin！”

“Yournotionsaretoogloomy，Mrs。Taylor。Suchcalamitieswillhappen，andweshouldnotletthemweighusdowntoomuch。“

“IfIwastoliveahundredyearslonger，InevercouldfeelasI

didbeforeourson\'sdeath。Oh，tothinkwhatabeautiful，innocentchildhewastwentyyearsago，thistime！”

“Youshouldn\'tletyourmindrunsomuchonhimthat\'sgone。It\'sunjusttotheliving。“

Thepoorwomanmadenoanswer，butweptbitterlyforsometime。

“It\'smyonlycomfortnow，“shesaid，atlength，“tothinkthatwehavelearnedwisdombywhat\'spassed。AslongasIlive，dayandnight，Ishalllabourtoteachouryoungerchildrennottosettheirheartsupontheworld；nottothinksomuchaboutriches。“

“Well，Imustsay，Hester，ifyouthinkallpoorpeoplearesaints，Icalculateyoumakeamistake。“

“Idon\'tsaythat，husband；butitseemstomethatwehaveneveryetthoughtenoughofthetemptationsofriches，moreespeciallytoyoungpeople，toyoungmen——aboveall，whenitcomessosuddenasitdidtoourpoorboy。Whatgooddidmoneyeverdohim？——itonlybroughthimintotrouble！”

“BecauseTallmandidn\'tmakethemostofhisopportunities，thatisnoreasonwhyanothershouldnot。IfIhadwastedmoneyashedid，beforeIcouldaffordit，Inevershouldhavemadeafortuneeither。Theotherboyswilldobetter，Ireckon；theywilllookmoretobusinessthanhedid，andturnoutrichmenthemselves。“

“Itisn\'tthemoney！——itisn\'tthemoneyIamthinkingof！”

exclaimedthepoormother，almostindespairatherhusband\'sblindnesstoherfeelings。

“Whatisitthenyoutakesomuchtoheart？”

“It\'srememberingthatweneverwarnedourpoorchild；weputhiminthewayoftemptation，whereheonlylearnedtothinkeverythingoftheworldanditsways；wedidn\'ttakepainsenoughtodoourduty，asparents，byhim！”

“Well，Hester，Imustsayyouareaveryunreasonablelady！”

exclaimedMr。Taylor，whowasgettingimpatientunderhiswife\'sobservations。“Onewouldthinkitwasallmyfault；doyoumeantosayitwaswronginmetogrowrich？”

“Iamafraiditwouldhavebeenbetterforus，andforourchildren，ifyouhadn\'tmadesomuchmoney，“repliedthewife。

“Thehappiesttimeofourlifewasthefirsttenyearsafterweweremarried，whenwehadenoughtobecomfortable，andwedidn\'tcaresomuchaboutshow。Iamsuremoneyhasn\'tmademehappy；I

don\'tbelieveitcanmakeanybodyhappy！”

Mr。Taylorlistenedinamazement；buthisstraightforward，quietwife，hadbeenforseveralyearsgraduallycomingtotheopinionshehadjustexpressed，andthedeathofhereldestsonhadaffectedherdeeply。Themerchant，findingthathewasnotverygoodatconsolation，soonchangedtheconversation；givingupthehopeoflesseningthemother\'sgrief，orofbringinghertowhatheconsideredmorerationalviewsoftheall-importanceofwealth。

AssoonasJanefeltequaltotheexertion，sheaccompaniedMissAgnesandElinortoWyllys-Roof。Duringthethreeyearsofhermarriedlifeshehadneverbeenthere，havingpassedmostofthetimeeitheratCharlestonorNewOrleans。Manychangeshadoccurredinthatshortperiod；changesofoutwardcircumstances，andofsecretfeeling。HerlastvisittoWyllys-RoofhadtakenplacejustafterherreturnfromFrance，whenshewastacitlyengagedtoyoungTaylor；atamomentwhenshehadbeenmoregay，morebrilliantlyhandsomethanatanyotherperiodofherlife。

Now，shereturnedthere，aweeping，mourningwidow，wretchedlydepressedinspirits，andfeebleinhealth。Shewasstillverylovely，however；theelevatedstyleofherbeautywassuch，thatitappearedfinerundertheshadowofgrief，thaninthesunshineofgaiety；anditisonlybeautyoftheveryhighestorderwhichwillbearthistest。Herdeepmourningdresswasinharmonywithherwholeappearanceandexpression；anditwasnotpossibletoseeheratthismoment，withoutbeingstruckbyherexceedingloveliness。Janewasonlyseenbythefamily，however，andoneortwoveryintimatefriends；sheremainedentirelyintheprivacyofherownroom，whereElinorwasgenerallyatherside，endeavouringtosoothehercousin\'sgrief，bythegentlebalmofsympathyandaffection。

CHAPTERXII。{XXXV}

“Dothoustandformyfather，andexaminemeupontheparticularsofmylife。“

“Whatmannerofman，an\'tpleaseyourmajesty！”

HenryIV。

{WilliamShakespeare，“1HenryIV“，II。iv。375-376，420-421}

HAZLEHURST\'saffairshadnotremainedstationary，inthemeantime；Mrs。StanleyandhimselfwerealreadyatWyllys-Roof，whenMissWyllysandElinorreturnedhome，accompaniedbythewidowedJane。Theladieshadreceivedfrequentintelligenceoftheprogressofhisaffairs，fromMr。Wyllys\'sletters；stillthereweremanydetailstobeexplainedwhenthepartywasre-united，asseveralimportantstepshadbeentakenwhiletheywereinNewYork。Mr。Clappwasnolongertheonlycounselemployedbytheclaimant；associatedwiththeLongbridgeattorney，nowappearedthenameofMr。Reed，alawyerofhighlyrespectablestandinginNewYork，abrother-in-lawofJudgeBernard\'s，andamanofacharacterfarsuperiortothatofMr。Clapp。HewasslightlyacquaintedwithMr。Wyllys，andhadwrittenverycivilletters，statingthatheheldtheproofsadvancedbyhisclient，tobequitedecisiveastohisidentity，andheproposedanamicablemeeting，withthehopethatMr。Stanley\'sclaimmightbeacknowledgedwithoutfartherdifficulty。ThatMr。Reedshouldhavetakenthecaseintohishands，astonishedHazlehurstandhisfriends；solongasClappmanagedtheaffair，theyfeltlittledoubtastoitsbeingsacoarseplotofhisown；buttheyhadnowbecomeimpatienttoinquiremorecloselyintothematter。Mrs。

Stanleywasgrowingveryuneasy；Hazlehurstwasanxioustoproceedfartherassoonaspossible；butMr。Wyllyswasstillnearlyassanguineasever。Allpartiesseemedtodesireapersonalinterview；Mr。ReedofferedtoaccompanyhisclienttoWyllys-Roof，towaitonMrs。Stanley；andadayhadbeenappointedforthemeeting，whichwastotakeplaceassoonasHarry\'sopponent，whohadbeenabsentfromLongbridge，shouldreturn。Themorningfixedfortheinterview，happenedtobethatsucceedingthearrivaloftheladies；anditwillbeeasilyimaginedthateverymemberofthefamilylookedforwardtothemomentwithmostanxiousinterest。Perhapstheywerenotawarethemselves，howgraduallydoubtshadarisenandincreased，intheirownminds，sincethefirstdisclosuremadebyMr。Clapp。

“Harryandmyselfhavebothseenthismanatlast，Agnes，“saidMr。Wyllystohisdaughter，justaftershehadreturnedhome，whenalonewithElinorandherself。“WheredoyousupposeHarrysawhimyesterday？Atchurch，withMr。Reed。AndthismorningI

caughtaglimpseofhim，standingonthestepsofClapp\'soffice。“

“Indeed！”exclaimedMissWyllys，who，aswellasElinor，waslisteningeagerly。Howdidhelook？——whatkindofmandidheseem？”

“Helookedlikeasailor。Ionlysawhimforamoment，however；

forhewascomingoutoftheoffice，andwalkeddownthestreet，inanoppositedirectionfromme。ImustconfessthathisfacehadsomethingofaStanleylook。“

“Isitpossible！”

“Yes；sofarasIcouldseehim，hestruckmeaslookingliketheStanleys；but，inanotherimportantpoint，hedoesnotresemblethematall。Yourememberthepeculiargaitofthefamily？——theyallhadit，moreorless；anybodywhoknewthemwellmusthaveremarkeditoften——butthismanhadnothingofthekind；hewalkedlikeasailor。“

“Iknowwhatyoumean；itwasapeculiarmotioninwalking，wellknowntoalltheirfriends——along，slowstep。“

“Precisely；thismanhadnothingofit，whatever——hehadthesailorswing，forIwatchedhismovementsexpressly。WilliamStanley，asaboy，walkedjustlikehisfather；forIhaveoftenpointeditouttoMr。Stanley，myself。“

“Thatmastbeanimportantpoint，Ishouldsuppose；andyet，grandpapa，youthinkhelookslikemyuncleStanley？”saidElinor。

“SoIshouldsay，fromtheglimpseIhadofhim。“

“WhatdidHarrythinkofhim？”askedMissWyllys。

“Hazlehurstdidnotseehisface，forhesatbeforehiminchurch。Hesaid，thatifhehadnotbeentoldwhoitwas，heshouldhavepronouncedhim，fromhisgeneralappearanceandmanner，acommon-looking，sea-faringman，whowasnotaccustomedtotheserviceoftheChurch；forhedidnotseemtounderstandwhenheshouldkneel，andwhenheshouldrise。“

“ButWilliamStanleyoughttohaveknownitperfectly，“observedElinor；“forhemusthavegonetochurchconstantly，withhisfamily，asachild，untilhewenttosea，andcouldscarcelyhaveforgottentheserviceentirely，Ishouldthink。“

“Certainly，mydear；thatisanotherpointwhichwehavenotedinourfavour。Ontheotherhand，however，Ihavejustbeencarefullycomparingthehand-writingofClapp\'sclient，withthatofWilliamStanley，andthereisaveryremarkableresemblancebetweenthem。Asfarasthehand-writinggoes，Imustconfess，thatIshouldhaveadmitteditatonce，asidentical，underordinarycircumstances。“

“Andthepersonallikeness，too，struckyou，itseems，“addedMissAgnes。

“Itdid；sofar，atleast，asIcouldjudgefromseeinghimonlyamoment，andwithhishaton。To-morrowweshallbeable，I

trust，tomakeupourmindsmoredecidedlyonotherimportantpoints。“

“Itisverysingularthatheshouldnotbeafraidofaninterview！”exclaimedElinor。

“Well，Idon\'tknowthat，mychild；havingonceadvancedthisclaim，hemustbepreparedforexamination，youknow，underanycircumstances。Itisaltogetherasingularcase，however，whetherhebetheimpostorwethinkhim，ortheindividualheclaimstobe。Truthiscertainlymorestrangethanfictionsometimes。WouldyouliketoseethestatementMr。Reedsentus，whenweappliedforsomeaccountofhisclient\'spastmovements？”

MissAgnesandElinorwerebothanxioustoseeit。

“Hereitis——shortyousee——inClapp\'shand-writing，butsignedbyhimself。Thereisnothinginitthatmaynotpossiblybetrue；

butIfancythatweshallbeabletopicksomeholesinit，by-and-bye。“

“Didhemakenodifficultyaboutsendingittoyou？”askedMissAgnes。

“No，heseemedtogiveitreadily；Mr。Reedsentittousadayortwosince。“

MissWyllysreceivedtheletterfromherfather，invitingElinortoreaditoverhershoulder，atthesamemoment。Itwasendorsed，inClapp\'shand，“STATEMENTOFMR。STANLEY，PREPAREDAT

THEREQUESTOFHISFATHER\'SEXECUTOR，“andranasfollows：

“July1st，183。

“Ilefthome，aseverybodyknows，becauseIwouldhavemyownwayineverything。Itwasagainstmybestintereststobesure，butboysdon\'tthinkatsuchtimes，aboutanythingbuthavingtheirownwill。Isupposethateverypersonconnectedwithmydeceasedfatherknows，thatmyfirstvoyagewasmadetoRussia，intheyear18——，intheshipDorothyBeck，JonasThomson，Master。Iwasonlyfourteenyearsoldatthetime。Myfatherhadtakentoheartmygoingoff，andwhenIcamebackfromRussiahewasonthelook-out，wrotetomeandsentmemoney，andassoonasheheardwewereinporthecameafterme。Well，Iwentbackwiththeoldgentleman；butwehadaquarrelontheroad，andIputaboutagainandwenttoNewBedford，whereIshippedinawhaler。Wewereoutonlyeighteenmonths，andbroughtinafullcargo。ThistimeIwenthomeofmyownaccord，andIstaidagreatpartofonesummer。Ididthinksomeofquittingtheseas；butafterawhilethingsdidn\'tworkwell，andoneofmyoldshipmatescomingupintothecountrytoseeme，Iwentoffwithhim。ThistimeI

shippedintheThomasJefferson，forChina。Thiswasintheyear1814，duringthelastwar，whenIwasabouteighteen。Mostpeople，whoknowanythingaboutWilliamStanley，thinkthatwasthelastofhim，thatheneversetfootonAmericangroundagain；

buttheyaremistaken，ashehimselfwilltakethepainstoshow。

SofarIhavetoldnothingbutwhateverybodyknows，butnowIamgoingtogiveashortaccountofwhathashappened，sincemyfriendsheardfromme。Well；theJeffersonsailed，onhervoyagetoChina，inOctober；shewaswreckedonthecoastofAfricainDecember，anditwasreportedthatallhandswerelost：sotheywere，allbutone，andthatonewasWilliamStanley。IwaspickedupbyaDutchman，thebarqueWilliam，boundtoBatavia。IkeptwiththeDutchmanforawhile，untilhewentbacktoHolland。

AfterIhadcutadriftfromhim，IfellinwithsomeAmericans，andgotsomeoldpapers；inoneofthemIsawmyfather\'ssecondmarriage。Iknewthenameoftheladyhehadmarried，butIhadneverspokentoher。Theverynextday，oneofthemenIwaswith，whocamefromthesamepartofthecountry，toldmeofmyfather\'sdeath，andsaiditwasthecommontalkabouttheneighbourhood，thatIwasdisinherited。Thismademeveryangry；

thoughIwasn\'tmuchsurprised，afterwhathadpassed。Iwaslookingoutforahomeward-boundAmerican，togoback，andseehowmattersstood，whenonenightthatIwasdrunk，IwascarriedoffbyanEnglishofficer，whomadeoutIwasarunaway。ForfiveyearsIwaskeptindifferentEnglishmen-of-war，intheEastIndies；attheendofthattimeIwasputonboardtheCeres，sloopofwar，andImadeouttodesertfromheratlast，andgotonboardanAmerican。Ithencamehome；andhere，thefirstmanthatImetonshorewasBillings，thechapwhofirstpersuadedmetogotosea：heknewallaboutmyfather\'sfamily，andtoldmeitwastrueIwascutoffwithoutacent，andthatHarryHazlehursthadbeenadoptedbymyfather。Thismademesomad，thatIwentstraighttoNewBedford，andshippedintheSallyAndrews，forawhalingvoyage。Justbeforeweweretohavecomehome，Iexchangedintoanotherwhaler，assecond-mate，forayearlonger。ThenIsailedinaHavreliner，asforemasthand，forawhile。Ifoundoutaboutthistime，thattheexecutorsofmyfather\'sestatehadbeenadvertisingformeshortlyafterhisdeath，whileIwasintheEastIndies；andIwenttoalawyerinBaltimore，whereIhappenedtobe，andconsultedhimaboutclaimingtheproperty；buthewouldn\'tbelieveawordIsaid，becauseIwashalf-drunkatthetime，andtoldmethatIshouldgetintroubleifIdidn\'tkeepmymouthshut。Well，Icruizedaboutforawhilelonger，whenatlastIwenttoLongbridge，withsomeshipmates。Ihadbeenthereoftenbefore，asalad，andI

hadsomenotionofhavingatalkwithMr。Wyllys，myfather\'sexecutor；Iwenttohishouseoneday，butIdidn\'tseehim。Oneofmyshipmateswhoknewsomethingofmystory，andhadbeenaclientofMr。Clapp\'s，advisedmetoconsulthim。Iwenttohisoffice，buthesentmeoffliketheBaltimorelawyer，becausebethoughtIwasdrunk。ThreeyearsafterthatIgotbacktoLongbridgeagain，withashipmate；butitdidmenogood，forI

gotdrinking，andhadafitofthehorrors。Thatfitsoberedme，though，intheend；itwastheworstIhadeverhad；Ishouldhavehangedmyself，andtherewouldhavebeenanendofWilliamStanleyandhishardrubs，ifithadn\'tbeenforthedoctor——I

neverknewhisname，butMr。ClappsaysitwasDr。VanHorne。

Afterthisbadfit，theycoaxedmeintoshippinginatemperancewhaler。WhileIwasinthePacific，inthisship，nighthreeyears，andoutofthereachofdrink，IhadtimetothinkwhatafoolIhadbeenallmylife，forwastingmyopportunities。I

thoughttheremustbesomewayofgettingbackmyfather\'sproperty；Mr。Clapphadsaid，thatifIwasreallythemanI

pretendedtobe，Imusthavesomepaperstomakeitout；butifI

hadn\'tanypapers，hecouldn\'thelpme，evenifIwasWilliamStanleyfortytimesover。Itistrue，Icouldn\'tshowhimanydocumentsthattime，forIdidn\'thavethemwithmeatLongbridge；butImadeupmymind，whileIwasoutonmylastvoyage，thatassoonasIgothome，Iwouldgiveupdrinking，getmypaperstogether，andsetaboutdoingmybesttogetbackmyfather\'sproperty。WecamehomelastFebruary；Iwenttowork，I

keptsober，gotmythingstogether，putmoneybyforalawyer\'sfee，andthenwentstraighttoLongbridgeagain。IwenttoMr。

Clapp\'soffice，andfirstIhandedhimthemoney，andthenIgavehimmypapers。Iwenttohim，becausehehadtreatedmebetterthananyotherlawyer，andtoldmeifIwasWilliamStanley，andcouldproveit，hecouldhelpmebetterthananyotherman，forheknewallaboutmyfather\'swill。Well，hehadn\'texpectedevertoseemeagain；butheheardmystoryalloutthistime，readthedocuments，andatlastbelievedme，andundertookthecase。

Therestisknowntotheexecutorsandlegateebythistime；anditistobehoped，thatafterenjoyingmyfather\'sestatefornightwentyyears，theywillnowmakeitovertohisson。

“DictatedtoW。C。Clapp，bytheundersigned，[Signed，]“WILLIAMSTANLEY。“

{“Dutchman“=ashiptradingbetweentheNetherlandsandtheNetherlandsEastIndies(nowIndonesia)，ofwhichBatavia(nowJakarta)wasthecapital}

“Arethesefacts，sofarastheyareknowntoyou，alltrue？”

askedMissAgnes，asshefinishedthepaper。“Imeantheearlierpartofthestatement，whichreferstoWilliamStanley\'smovementsbeforehesailedintheJefferson？”

“Yes；thatpartofthestoryiscorrect，sofarasitgoes。“

“Howextraordinary！”exclaimedElinor。

“WhatdoesHarrythinkofthispaper？”

“BothheandMrs。StanleyaremoredisposedtolistentothestorythanIam；however，wearetomeetthisindividualto-morrow，andshallbeablethen，Ihope，toseeourwaymoreclearly。“

“Doyoufindanyglaringinconsistencyinthelatterpartoftheaccount？”continuedMissAgnes。

“Nothingimpossible，certainly；buttheimprobabilityofWilliamStanley\'sneverapplyingtohisfather\'sexecutors，untilheappeared，solateintheday，asMr。Clapp\'sclient，isstilljustasstrikingaseverinmyeyes。Mr。Reedaccountsforit，bythesingularcharacterofthemanhimself，andthestrange，loosenotionssailorsgetonmostsubjects；butthatisfarfromsatisfyingmymind。“

“Mrs。Stanleyisevidentlymuchperplexed，“observedMissWyllys；

“shealwaysfeelsanytroubleacutely，andthisstartlingapplicationisenoughtocauseherthemostseriousanxiety，undereverypointofview。“

“Certainly；Iamgladyouhavecomehome，onheraccount——sheisbecomingpainfullyanxious。Itisaveryseriousmatter，too，forHazlehurst；heconfessedtomeyesterday，thathehadsomemisgivings。“

“Whatachangeitwouldmakeinallhisviewsandprospectsforlife！”exclaimedMissWyllys。

“Achange，indeed，whichhewouldfeelateveryturn。Butwearenotyetsobadlyoffasthat。Weshallgivethisindividualathorough，searchingexamination，anditismyfirmopinionthathewillnotbearit。Inthemeantimewehaveagentsatwork，endeavouringtotracethisman\'spastcareer；andverypossiblywemaysoondiscoverinthatway，someinconsistencyinhisstory。“

“Theinterviewisforto-morrow，yousay，“addedMissAgnes。

“To-morrowmorning。ItistobeconsideredasavisittoMrs。

Stanley；Mr。ReedandClappwillcomewithhim。Hehasengagedtobringaportionofhispapers，andtoansweranyquestionsofours，thatwouldnotinjurehimincaseofanultimatetrialbylaw：aftertheinterview，wearetodeclarewithinagiventimewhetherweacknowledgetheclaim，orwhetherwearepreparedtodisputeit。“

“Ifyoudocarryitintoacourtofjustice，whenwillthetrialtakeplace？”askedMissAgnes。

“Probablyintheautumn；theyhavealreadygivennotice，thattheywillbringitonassoonaspossible，ifwerejecttheirdemand。“

“Harrywillnotgoabroadthen，withMr。Henley。“

“No；notsosoonatleastasheintended。Sogoestheworld；

Hazlehurst\'scareersuddenlystopped，byanobstacleweneverdreamedof，atthislateday。ThatpooryoungTaylorinhisgrave，too！HowisJane？”

“Veryfeeble，andmuchdepressed。“

“Poorgirl——aheavyblowtoher——thatwasasweetbabythatshelost。Iamgladtoseetheotherchildlookswell。Jane\'saffairs，too，areinabadway，theytellme。“

MissAgnesshookherhead，andherfathersoonafterlefther。

Hazlehurstwas，ofcourse，muchoccupied，havingmanythingstoattendto，connectedindifferentwayswiththeimportantquestionunderconsideration：therewereoldpaperstobeexamined，letterstobewritten，letterstoberead，andthefamilyseldomsawhim，exceptathismeals。Itwasevident，however，thatallMr。Wyllys\'sdispleasureagainsthim，wasfastdisappearingundertheinfluenceofthestronginterestnowarousedinhisfavour。MissAgneshadalsoresumedentirely，herformermannertowardshim。Elinorwasquiteunembarrassed，andfranklyexpressedherinterestinhisaffairs；infact，allpartiesappearedsomuchengrossedbythisimportanttopic，thatnooneseemedtohavetimetoremembertheunpleasantcircumstancesofHarry\'slastvisittoWyllys-Roof。Tojudgefromhismanner，andsomethinginhisexpression，ifanyoneoccasionallythoughtofthepast，itwasHazlehursthimself；heseemedgratefulforhispresentkindreception，andconsciousthathehadforfeitedallclaimtothefriendlyplaceinwhichhehadbeenreinstated。Onceortwice，hebetrayedmomentaryfeelingandembarrassment，assomeallusiontopastsceneswasaccidentallymadebyothers，inthecourseofconversation。

Thefamilyweresittingtogetheraftertea，enjoyingthesummereveningtwilight，afteralongbusinessconsultationbetweenthegentlemen。Harryseemedstillengrossedbyhisownmeditations；

whatwastheirparticularnatureatthatmoment，wecannotsay；

buthecertainlyhadenoughtothinkofinvariousways。Harry\'sfriendslefthiminundividedpossessionofthecorner，wherehewassitting，alone；andMr。Wyllys，afteraquiet，generalconversationwiththeladies，askedElinorforasong。Athergrandfather\'srequest，shesangapleasing，newair，shehadjustreceived，andhisoldfavourite，RobinAdair。Fortunately，itdidnotoccurtoher，thatthelasttimeshehadsungthatsongatWyllys-Roof，withHazlehurstaspartofheraudience，wastheeveningbeforetheirrupture；sheappearedtohaveforgottenthefact，fornonervousfeelingaffectedhervoice，thoughhertoneswerelowerthanusual，asshedidnotwishtodisturbJane，whowasinadistantpartofthehouse。AletterfromMr。Reedwasbroughtin，anddrewHarryintothecircleagain；itwasconnectedwiththenextday\'sinterview，andafterreadingit，Mr。WyllysmadesomeremarksuponthedifferenceinthetoneandmannerofthecommunicationstheyhadreceivedfromClapp，andfromMr。Reed；thelastwritinglikeagentleman，thefirstlikeapettifogger。

“Iamglad，atleast，thatyouwillhaveagentlemantodealwith，“observedElinor。

“Why，yes，Nelly；itisalwaysadvisabletosecureagentlemanforfriendorfoe，heisthebestsubstituteforagoodmanthatonecanfind。ButitismyopinionthatMr。Reedwillnotpersevereinthiscase；IthinkhewillsoonbedisgustedwithClapp，ashisbrothercounsel。To-morrow，however，weshallhaveanearerlookatallouropponents，andItrustthatweshallbeabletomakeupourownmindsatleast，beyondadoubt。“

“Itrustso！”repliedMrs。Stanley，whoseanxietyhadincreasedpainfully。

“IwishEllsworthwerehere！”exclaimedHarry；“ashisfeelingsarelessinterestedthanthoseofeitherofus，hewouldseethingsinamoreimpartiallight。“

“Iwishhewerehere，withallmyheart，“repliedMr。Wyllys。“I

amalittleafraidofbothyou，myexcellentfriend，andyou，Hazlehurst；theideaofnotdoingjusticetotheshadowofWilliamStanley，willmakeyoutoomercifultowardsthisclaimant，Ifear。Iseeplainly，Harry，thatyouhavesomescruples，andIcautionyouagainstgivingwaytoomuchtothem。“

Hazlehurstsmiled，andpassedhishandoverhisforehead。“Thankyou，sir，foryouradvice，“hereplied。“Ishalltrytojudgethefactscalmly；althoughtheidea，thatonemaypossiblybeanusurper，isbynomeanspleasant；itisratherworseeven，thanthatofgivinguptoanimpostor。“

“ItisathousandpitiesthatEllsworthcannotbehereuntilnextweek；hewouldhavewarnedyou，asIdo，nottolosesightoftheimpostor。“

“Itisquiteimpossiblethatheshouldcome，untilnextMonday；I

knewhisbusinesswouldnotadmitofit，whenIwrotetohimatyourrequest；buthewillbehereattheveryearliestmomentthathecan。“

Infacteveryonepresent，whiletheyregrettedMr。Ellsworth\'sabsence，feltthoroughlyconvincedthattherewerevariousreasons，whichgavehimthebestinclinationintheworldtobeatWyllys-Roofassoonaspossible。

“IhopeMrs。Creightonwillcomewithhimtoo；shewillenlivenusalittle，inthemidstofourlegalmatters，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“EllsworthmentionsMrs。Creighton\'scomingparticularly；shesendsamessagetotheladies，throughhim，whichIhavealreadydelivered，“repliedHazlehurst，ashetookupMr。Reed\'sletter，toanswerit。

“Well，Agnes，shallwehaveagameofchess？”saidMr。Wyllys；

andthecirclewasbrokenup，astheyoungerladiesjoinedMrs。

Taylorinherownroom。

Thehouroften，onthefollowingmorning，hadbeenfixedfortheinterviewwiththesailorandhiscounsel。Hazlehurstwaswalkingonthepiazza，asthetimeapproached，andpunctualtothemoment，hesawacarriagedriveuptothehouse；initwereMr。

Reed，Mr。Clapp，andtheirclient。Harrystoppedtoreceivethem；

and，astheymountedthestepsoneaftertheother，hebowedrespectfullytoMr。Reed，slightlytoMr。Clapp，andfixedhiseyesteadilyonthethirdindividual。

“Mr。Stanley，Mr。Hazlehurst，“saidMr。Reed，inaquiet，butdecidedmanner。

Harrybowedlikeagentleman，Mr。Stanleylikeajack-tar。Thefirststeady，inquiringglanceofHazlehurst，wassufficienttoshowhim，thattherivalclaimantwasamanrathershorter，anddecidedlystouterthanhimself，withdarkhairandeyes，andacountenancebynomeansunpleasant，exceptingthatitboreevidenttracesofpasthabitsofintemperance；asfarashisfeatureswent，theycertainlyremindedHarryofMr。Stanley\'sportrait。Thesailor\'sdresswasthatwhichmighthavebeenwornbyamate，orskipper，onshore；heappearednotintheleastdaunted，onthecontraryhewasquiteself-possessed，withanairofdeterminationabouthimwhichrathertookHarrybysurprise。

AfewindifferentobservationswereexchangedbetweenMr。ReedandHazlehurst，asthepartyenteredthehouse；theyweretakenbyHarryintothedrawing-room，andhethenleftthem，toinformMrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllysoftheirarrival。

Mrs。Stanley，thoughawomanofafirmcharacter，wasveryexcitableinhertemperament，andshedreadedtheinterviewnotalittle；shehadaskedMissWyllystoremainwithherontheoccasion。Mr。Wyllyswassentfor，andwhenhehadjoinedtheladies，andMrs。Stanleyhadcomposedherself，theirthreevisitorswereusheredintoMissWyllys\'susualsitting-roombyHazlehurst。HeintroducedMr。ReedtoMrs。StanleyandMissWyllys，namedMr。Clapp，andadded，asthesailorapproached：

“Mr。Reed\'sclient，ma\'am。“

“Mr。WilliamStanley，“addedMr。Reed，firmly，butrespectfully。

Mrs。Stanleyhadrisenfromherseat，andaftercurtseyingtothelawyers，sheturnedverypale，asthenameofherhusband\'ssonwassodeliberatelyapplied，byarespectableman，totheindividualbeforeher。

“IwasjustaskingMr。Stanley，whenMr。Hazlehurstjoinedus，“

observedtheforwardMr。Clapp，“ifherememberedWyllys-Roofatall；buthesayshisrecollectionsofthisplaceareratherconfused。“

“Whenwereyouherelast，sir？”askedMr。Wyllysofthesailor，givinghimasearchinglookatthesametime。

“Aboutfiveyearsago，“wasthecoolreply，rathertoMr。

Wyllys\'ssurprise。

“Fiveyearsago！——Ihavenorecollectionoftheoccasion。“

Therestofthepartywerelookingandlistening，withcurious，anxiousinterest。

“Youdon\'tseemtohavemuchrecollectionofme，atall，sir，“

saidthesailor，ratherbitterly。

“Doyoumeantosay，thatyouwereinthishousefiveyearsago？”

askedMr。Wyllys。

“Iwashere，butIdidn\'tsayIwasinthehouse。“

“Whatbroughtyouhere？”

“Prettymuchthesameerrandthatbringsmenow。“

“Whatpassedontheoccasion？”

“Ican\'tsayIremembermuchaboutit，exceptingthatyoudidnotgivemeanover-friendlygreeting。“

“Explainhowithappened，Mr。Stanley，“saidMr。Reed，“Mr。

Wyllysdoesnotunderstandyou。“

“Icertainlycannotunderstandwhatyoumeanmetobelieve。Yousayyouwerehere，anddidnotreceiveaveryfriendlygreeting——howwasitunfriendly？”

“Why，youshowedmetheinsideofyoursmoke-house；which，tomynotion，wasn\'tjusttherightberthforthesonofyouroldfriend，andItookthelibertyofkickingoffthehatchesnextmorning，andmakingthebestofmywayoutoftheneighbourhood。“

“Yourememberthedrunkensailor，sir，whowasfoundonenight，severalyearssince，nearthehouse，“interruptedHarry，whohadbeenlisteningattentively，andobservedMr。Wyllys\'sairofincredulity。“Ihadhimlockedupinthesmoke-house，youmayrecollect。“

“Andyoumustobserve，Mr。Hazlehurst，thatisafactwhichmightlookuglybeforeajurythatdidnotknowyou，“remarkedMr。

Clapp；inasortofhalf-cunning，half-insinuatingmanner。

“Idonotintheleastdoubttheabilityofmanymen，sir，todistortactionsequallyinnocent。“

“Butyouacknowledgethefact？”

“ThefactthatIlockedupadrunkensailor，Icertainlyacknowledge；andyouwillfindmereadytoacknowledgeanyotherfactequallytrue。“

“Doyoubelievethistobethepersonyoulockedup，Harry？”

askedMr。Wyllys。

“Ithinkitnotimprobablethatitisthesameindividual；butI

didnotseethemandistinctlyatthetime。“

“Iamglad，gentlemen，thatyouarepreparedtoadmittheidentitythusfar——thatisastepgained，“observedMr。Clapp，runninghishandthroughhislocks。

“Permitme，Mr。Clapp，toaskyouaquestionortwo，“saidMr。

Wyllys。“Nowyourecallthatcircumstancetome，Ishouldliketoask，ifwehavenotalsoheardofthisindividualsincetheoccasionyoureferto？”

“Yes，sir；youprobablyhaveheardofhimsince，“repliedMr。

Clapp，baldly。

“Andinconnexionwithyourself，Ithink？”

“Inconnexionwithme，sir。YouwillfindmequiteasreadyasMr。Hazlehursttoadmitfacts，sir，“repliedthelawyer，leaningbackinhischair。

“Whentheyareundeniable，“observedMr。Wyllys，drily。“MayI

inquirewhatwasthenatureofthatconnexion？”askedthegentleman，withoneofhissearchinglooks。

Thelawyerdidnotseemtoquailbeneaththescrutiny。

“Theconnexion，Mr。Wyllys，wasthecommencementofwhathasbeencompletedrecently。Mr。Stanleycametolaybeforemetheclaimswhichhenowmakespublicly。“

“Younevermadetheleastallusiontoanyclaimofthiskindtome，atthattime，“saidMr。Wyllys。

“Ididn\'tbelieveitthen；Iamfreetosaysonow，“

“Still，notbelievingtheclaim，itwassingular，Imaysaysuspicious，sir，thatyouneverevenmentionedtheindividualwhomadeit。“

“Why，totellyouthetruth，Mr。Wyllys，Ihadunpleasantthoughtsaboutit；wewereneighboursandoldfriends，andthoughImightmakeupmymindtoundertakethecase，ifIthoughtitclear，Ididpreferthatyoushouldnotknowaboutmyhavinghadanythingtodowithit，aslongasIthoughtitadoubtfulpoint。

Ithinkyoumustseethatwasonlynaturalforayounglawyer，whohadhisfortunetomake，andexpectedemploymentfromyouandyourfriends。Ihavenoobjectionswhatevertospeakingoutnow，tosatisfyyourmind，Mr。Wyllys。“

“IbelieveIunderstandyou，sir，“repliedMr。Wyllys，hiscountenanceexpressingmorecoolcontemptthanhewasawareof。

“Ithink，however，thereareseveralotherpointswhicharenotsoeasilyanswered，“headded，turningtoMr。Reed，asifpreferringtocontinuetheconversationwithhim。“Doyounotthinkitsingular，Mr。Reed，tosaytheleast，thatyourclientshouldhaveallowedsomanyyearstopass，withoutclaimingthepropertyofMr。Stanley，andthen，atthislateday，insteadofapplyingdirectlytotheexecutors，cometoasmalltownlikeLongbridge，toalawyersolittleknownasMr。Clapp，inordertourgeaclaim，soimportanttohimasthiswearenowexamining？”

askedMr。Wyllys，withameaningsmile。

“Weareabletoexplainallthosepointsquitesatisfactorily，I

think，“repliedMr。Reed。

“Iobject，however，“interposedMr。Clapp，“tolayingourcasefullybeforethedefendants，untilweknowwhattheyconcludetodo。Wehavemetherebyagreement，togivethedefendantsanopportunityofsatisfyingtheirownminds——thattheymaysettlethepoint，whethertheywilladmitourclaim，orwhetherwemustgotolawtogetourrights。Itwasagreedthatthemeetingshouldbeonlyacommonfriendlyvisit，suchasMr。Stanleyfeltperfectlywillingtopaytohisstep-mother，andoldfamilyfriends。Wealsoagreed，thatwewouldansweranycommonquestionsthatmighthelptosatisfythedefendants，providedthattheydidnottendtoendangerourfuturesuccess，intheeventofatrial。Ithink，Mr。Reed，thatastheredoesnotseemasyetmuchprobabilitythatthedefendantswillbeeasilyconvinced，itbehoovesustobeonourguard。“

“Iwilltaketheresponsibility，sir，ofansweringotherobservationsofMr。Wyllys\'s，“repliedMr。Reed。“Astheobjectofthemeetingwasanamicablearrangement，wemaybeabletomakethecasemoreclear，withoutendangeringourowngrounds。

Haveyouanyremarkstomake，madam？”headded，turningtoMrs。

Stanley。

Ithadbeensettledbetweenthefriends，beforethemeeting，thatMr。Wyllysshouldbechiefspokesmanontheoccasion；for，althoughthesailorclaimedthenearerconnexionofstep-sontoMrs。Stanley，yetshehadscarcelyknownherhusband\'sson，havingmarriedafterhewenttosea。Harry，itistrue，hadoftenbeenwithyoungStanleyathisfather\'shouse，buthewasatthetimetooyoungachildtohavepreservedanydistinctrecollectionofhim。Mr。Wyllyswastheonlyoneofthethreeindividualsmostinterested，whorememberedhisperson，manner，andcharacter，withsufficientminutenesstorelyonhisownmemory。Theparticularsubjectsuponwhichthesailorshouldbequestioned，hadbeenalsoagreeduponbeforehand，byHarryandhisfriends。InreplytoMr。Reed\'sinquiry，Mrs。Stanleyaskedtoseethepaperswhichhadbeenbroughtfortheirinvestigation。

Mr。Clappcompliedwiththerequest，bydrawingabundleofpapersfromhispocket。HefirsthandedMrs。Stanleyadocument，provingthatWilliamStanleyhadmadetwovoyagesasseaman，inaHavrepacket，intheyear1824，ornearlytenyearssincethewreckoftheJefferson。Thecaptainofthisvesselwaswellknown，andstillcommandedapacketinthesameline；veryprobablyhismateswerealsoliving，andcouldbecalledupontoascertaintheauthenticityofthispaper。Nomaninhissenseswouldhaveforgedadocumentwhichcouldbesoeasilydisproved，andbothMr。WyllysandHazlehurstwereevidentlyperplexedbyit，whileMrs。Stanleyshowedanincreaseofnervousagitation。

Mr。WyllysatlengthreturnedthispapertoMr。Reed，confessingthatitlookedmorefavourablythananythingtheyhadyetreceived。Twoletterswerethenshown，directedtoWilliamStanley，andbearingdifferentdates；onewassignedbythenameofDavidBillings，amanwhohadbeenthechiefinstrumentinfirstdrawingWilliamStanleyintobadhabits，andhadatlengthenticedhimtoleavehomeandgotosea；itwasdatednineteenyearsback。Asnoonepresentknewthehand-writingofBillings，andashehaddiedsomeyearssince，thislettermight，ormightnot，havebeengenuine。ThenameoftheothersignaturewasentirelyunknowntoHarryandhisfriends；thissecondletterboreadateonlysevenyearsprevioustotheinterview，andwasaddressedtoWilliamStanley，atasailor\'sboarding-houseinBaltimore。Itwasshort，andthecontentswereunimportant；

chieflyreferringtoadebtoffifteendollars，andpurportingtobewrittenbyashipmatenamedNoahJohnson：thenameofWilliamStanley，inconjunctionwiththedate，wastheonlyremarkablepointaboutthispaper。Bothlettershadanappearancecorrespondingwiththeirdates；theylookedoldandsoiled；thefirstborethepost-officestampofNewYork；theotherhadnopost-mark。Mr。WyllysaskedifthisNoahJohnsoncouldbefound？

Thesailorreplied，thathehadnotseenhimforseveralyears，anddidnotknowwhathadbecomeofhim；hehadkepttheletterbecauseitacknowledgedthedebt。Herepliedtoseveralotherquestionsaboutthisman，readilyandnaturally；thoughMr。

Wyllyshadnomeansofdecidingwhethertheseanswerswerecorrectornot。HazlehurstthenmadeseveralinquiriesaboutBillings，whomhehadseen，andrememberedasabadfellow，thesonofacountryphysicianlivingnearGreatwood。Hisheight，age，appearance，andseveralcircumstancesconnectedwithhisfamily，wereallveryaccuratelygivenbyMr。Reed\'sclient，asHarryfranklyadmittedtoMrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllys。

Mr。Reedlookedgratifiedbytheappearanceofthings，andMr。

Clappseemedquitesatisfiedwiththeturnmatterswerenowtaking。Throughouttheinterview，Mr。Reedseemedtolistenwithasortofcalminterest，asifhehadlittledoubtastotheresult。Mr。Clapp\'smannerwasmuchmoreanxious；butthenhewasperfectlyawareofthesuspicionsagainsthim，andknewthatnotonlythisparticularcase，buthiswholeprospectsforlife，wereatstakeonthepresentoccasion。

“Likemostsailors，Mr。Stanleyhaskeptbutfewpapers，“

observedMr。Reed。

“Hehasbeenascarelessabouthisdocuments，ashewasabouthisproperty——hehaslostsomeofthegreatestimportance，“observedMr。Clapp。“Hereissomething，though，thatwillspeakforhim，“

addedthelawyer，ashehandedMrs。Stanleyabook。ItwasavolumeoftheSpectator，openattheblankleaves，andshowingthefollowingwords：“JohnWilliamStanley，Greatwood，1804；“andbelow，these，“WilliamStanley，1810；“thefirstsentencewasinthehand-writingofthefather，thesecondinthehalf-childishcharactersoftheson；bothnameshadeveryappearanceofbeingautographs。Theoppositepagewaspartlycoveredwithnamesofships，scratchesofthepen，unconnectedsentences，andoneortwocommonsailorexpressions。Mrs。Stanley\'seyesgrewdimforaninstant，aftershehadreadthenamesofherhusbandandstep-son——shepassedthebooktoMr。Wyllys；hetookit，examineditclosely，butfoundnothingtocomplainofinitsappearance。

{“theSpectator“=EnglishdailyperiodicalpublishedbyRichardSteele(1672-1729)andJosephAddison(1672-1719)between1711

and1714；theeightvolumesoftheSpectatorhavebeenreprintedfrequentlyinbookformeversince}

“Thisisonlythethirdvolume；haveyouthewholeset？”heasked，turningtothesailor。

“No，sir；Ilefttherestathome。“

“IstheresuchasetatGreatwood？”askedMr。Wyllys，turningtoMrs。Stanley。

“Thereis，“repliedthelady，inalowvoice，“andonevolumemissing。“

Hazlehurstaskedtolookatthebook；itwashandedtohimbyMr。

Wyllys。Heexamineditverycarefully，binding，title-page，andcontents；Mr。Clappwatchinghimcloselyatthemoment。

“Doyoususpectthehand-writing？”askedthelawyer。

“Notintheleast，“repliedHazlehurst。“YouhavereadthisvolumeoftenIsuppose，“headded，turningtothesailor。

“NotI，“wasthereply；“Iain\'tgiventoreadinginanyshape；

myshipmateshavereadthat\'erebookoftenerthanIhave。“

“Didyoucarryitwithyouinallyourvoyages？”

“No；Ileftitashorehalfthetime。“

“Howlonghaveyouhaditinyourpossession？”

“SinceIfirstwenttosea。“

“Indeed！thatissingular；Ishouldhavesaid，Mr。Clapp，“

exclaimedHarry，suddenlyfacingthelawyer，“thatonlyfouryearssince，IreadthisveryvolumeoftheSpectatoratGreatwood！”

IfHazlehurstexpectedMr。Clapptobetrayconfusion，hewasdisappointed。

“Youmayhavereadsomeothervolume，“wasthecoolreply；

althoughHarrythought，orfancied，thathetracedamuscularmovementaboutthespeaker\'seyelids，asheutteredthewords：

“ThatvolumehasbeeninthepossessionofMr。Stanleysincehefirstwenttosea。“

“IstherenoothercopyoftheSpectatoratyourcountry-place，Mrs。Stanley？”askedMr。Reed。

“Thereisanotheredition，entire，inthreevolumes，“saidMrs。

Stanley。

“Ihadforgottenit“saidHazlehurst；“butIam，nevertheless，convincedthatitwasthiseditionwhichIread，forIrememberlookingforitonanuppershelf，whereitbelonged。“

“Itwasprobablyanothervolumeofthesameedition；theremustbesomehalf-dozen，tojudgebythesizeofthis，“observedMr。

Reed。

“Therewereeightvolumes，butonehasbeenmissingforyears，“

saidMrs。Stanley。

“ItwasthiswhichIread，however，“saidHarry；“forIremembertheportraitofSteele，inthefrontispiece。“

“Willyousweartoit？”askedMr。Clapp，withadoubtfulsmile。

“WhenIdotakeanoath，itwillnotbelightly，sir，“repliedHazlehurst。

“Itisprettyevident，thatMr。Hazlehurstwillnotbeeasilysatisfied，“addedMr。Clapp，withanapproachtoasneer。“Shallwegoon，Mr。Reed，orstoptheexamination？”

Mrs。Stanleyprofessedherselfanxioustoaskotherquestions；

andasshehadshowedmoresymptomsofyieldingthanthegentlemen，thesailor\'scounselseemedtocherishhopesofbringingherovertotheirside。Atherrequest，Mr。Wyllysthenproceededtoasksomequestions，whichhadbeenagreeduponbeforethemeeting。

“Whatisyourpreciseage，sir？”

“Ishallbethirty-seven，thetenthofnextAugust。“

“Wherewereyouborn？”

“Atmyfather\'scountry-place，in——county，Pennsylvania。“

“Whenwereyoulasttherebeforehisdeath？”

“AftermywhalingvoyageintheSally-Ann，inthesummerof1814。“

“Howlongdidyoustayathomeonthatoccasion？”

“Threemonths；untilIwenttoseaintheThomasJefferson。“

“Whatwasyourmother\'sname，sir？”

“Mymother\'snamewasElizabethRadcliffe。“

“Whatwerethenamesofyourgrand-parents？”addedMr。Wyllys，quickly。

“MygrandfatherStanley\'snamewasWilliam；Iamnamedafterhim。

Mygrandmother\'smaidennamewasEllis——JaneEllis。“

“WhatweretheChristiannamesofyourgrand-parents，onyourmother\'sside？”

“Letmesee——mymemoryisn\'tover-good：mygrandfatherRadcliffewasnamedJohnHenry。“

“Andyourgrandmother？”

Thesailorhesitated，andseemedtochangecolour；but，perhapsitwasmerelybecausehestoopedtopickuphishandkerchief。

“It\'scuriousthatIcan\'trememberherChristianname，“saidhe，lookingfromonetoanother；“butIalwayscalledhergrandmother；——that\'sthereason，Isuppose。“

“Taketime，andIdaresayyouwillremember，“saidClapp。“HaveyouneverchancedtoseetheoldfamilyBible？”

Thesailorlookedathim，asifinthought，andsuddenlyexclaimed：“HernamewasAgnesGraham！”Otherquestionswerethenasked，aboutthepersonsofhisparents，thehouseatGreatwood，andtheneighbourhood。Heseemedquiteathomethere，andansweredmostofthequestionswithgreataccuracy——especiallyabouttheplaceandneighbourhood。HedescribedMr。Stanleyperfectly，butdidnotappeartorememberhismothersowell；asshehaddiedearly，however，Mr。ReedandMr。Clappaccountedforitinthatway。Hemadeafewmistakesabouttheplace，buttheywerechieflyuponsubjectsofopinion，suchasthebreadthofariver，theheightofahill，thenumberofacresinafield；andpossiblyhisaccountwasquiteascorrectasthatofMr。Wyllys。

“Onwhichsideofthehouseisthedrawing-room，atGreatwood？”

askedHazlehurst。

“Maybeyouhavechangedit，sinceyougotpossession；butinmydayitwasonthenorthsideofthehouse，lookingtowardsthewoods。“

“Wherearethestairs？”

“Theystandbackasyougoin——theyareverybroad。“

“Isthereanythingparticularabouttherailing？”

Thesailorpaused。“NotthatIremember，now，“hesaid。

“Can\'tyoudescribeit？——Whatisitmadeof？”

“Somekindofwood——darkwood——mahogany。“

“Whatistheshapeofthebalusters？”

Hecouldnottell；whichMr。Wyllysthoughtheoughttohavedone；fortheywereratherpeculiar，beingtwisted，andwouldprobablyberememberedbymostchildrenbroughtupinthehouse。

Mrs。Stanleythenbeggedhewoulddescribethefurnitureofthedrawing-room，suchasitwasthelastsummerhehadpassedatGreatwood。Heseemedtohesitate，andchangecountenance，morethanhehadyetdone；somuchso，astostrikeMrs。Stanleyherself；butheimmediatelyralliedagain。

“Well，“saidhe，“youaskamantheverythingshewouldn\'tbelikelytoputonhislog。ButI\'llmakeitalloutship-shapepresently。“Hestoopedtopickuphishandkerchief，whichhadfallenagain，andwasgoingtoproceed，whenMr。Clappinterruptedhim。

“Imusttakethelibertyofinterfering，“saidhe，lookingathiswatch，asherosefromhisseat，andmovedtowardsMr。Reed，askingifhedidnotthinktheexaminationhadbeenquitelongenough。

“Imustsay，gentlemen，“headdedsignificantly，turningtowardsMr。WyllysandHarry，“thatIthinkourclienthashadenoughofit；consideringthat，uponthewhole，thereisnooneherewhohassomuchrighttoaskquestions，insteadofansweringthem，asMr。Stanley。“

“Ishouldsuppose，sir，“saidMr。Reed，alsorisingandaddressingMr。Wyllys，“thatyoumusthaveheardandseenenoughfortheobjectofourmeeting。YouhavehadapersonalinterviewwithMr。Stanley；youconfessthatheislikehisfamily，likehimself，inshort——allowingforthedifferencebetweenaboyofeighteenandamanofthirty-seven，wherethehabitsoflifehavebeensodifferent；youadmittheidentityofthehand-writing——“

“Ibegyourpardon，sir；nottheidentity，buttheresemblance。“

“Aperfectlynaturalresemblance，underthecircumstances，I

thinkyoumustallow。“

“Yes；thesimilarityofthehand-writingisremarkable，certainly。“

“Duringthelasttwohoursyouhaveaskedthequestionswhichbestsuitedyourownpleasure，andhehasansweredthemwithgreataccuracy，withoutoneimportantmistake。Whatmorecanyoupossiblyrequire？”

“Idonotstandalone，sir；weclaimthetimepreviouslyfixedforconsideration，beforewegiveourfinalanswer。Weare，however，muchobligedtoyou，Mr。Reed，forgrantingtheinterview，evenifitsresultsarenotwhatyoumayhavehopedfor。Weshallalwaysrememberyourconductonthisoccasionwithrespect。“

Mr。WyllysthenofferedsomerefreshmentstoMr。Reed；theywereaccepted，andorderedimmediately。

Mr。ClappwasstandingnearHarry，andturningtohim，hesaid：

“Mr。Stanleyhasafavourtoask，Mr。Hazlehurst，thoughyoudon\'tseemdisposedtogranthimany，“headded，withpeculiarexpression。

“\'AFAIRfield，andnofavour，\'isasayingyoumayhaveheard，“

repliedHazlehurst，withaslightemphasisonthefirstword。

“Butwhatisyourclient\'srequest，sir？”

Mr。Clappmadeagesturetowardsthesailor，whothenspokeforhimself。

“Iunderstandthattwoofmycousinsareinthehouse，andI

shouldbegladtoseethembeforeIleaveit。“

“Whomdoyoumean，sir？”

“ElinorWyllysandMaryVanAlstyne。Ihaven\'tseeneitherofthemsincetheywerechildren；butasIhavegotbutfewrelations，andnofriendsitseems，Ishouldliketoseethem。“

“YoumustapplytoMr。Wyllys；theyoungladiesareunderhiscare，“repliedHarry，coldly。

ButMr。Wyllystookuponhimselftorefusethesailor\'srequest，underthecircumstances。Havingtakensomerefreshments，Mr。

Reed，hisbrothercounsel，andtheirclientnowmadetheirbows，andleftthehouse。Astheydrovefromthedoor，Mr。Reedlookedcalmandcivil，Mr。Clappverywellsatisfied；andthesailor，ashetookhisseatbyMr。Reed，observed，inavoiceloudenoughtobeheardbyHarry，whowasstandingonthepiazza：

“ItturnsoutjustasIreckoned；hardworkforamantogethisrightsinthisherelongitude！”

CHAPTERXIII。{XXXVI}

“Nay，letthemgo，acoupleofquietones！”

TamingtheShrew。

{WilliamShakespeare，“TheTamingoftheShrew“，III。ii。240}