e seals, and has
insisted upon my reading the papers."

"It would be very undutiful in you to refuse, so I had better leave you
to your task," said Timothy, smiling, as he quitted the room.

Chapter XX

I open an account with my bankers, draw largely upon credulity, and
am prosperous without a _check_.

I sat down and took up the papers. I was immediately and strangely
interested in all that I read. A secret!--it was, indeed, a secret,
involving the honour and reputation of the most distinguished families.
One that, if known, the trumpet of scandal would have blazoned forth to
the disgrace of the aristocracy. It would have occasioned bitter tears
to some, gratified the petty malice of many, satisfied the revenge of
the vindictive, and bowed with shame the innocent as well as the guilty.
It is not necessary, nor, indeed, would I, on any account, state any
more. I finished the last paper, and then fell into a reverie. This is,
indeed, a secret, thought I; one that I would I never had possessed. In
a despotic country my life would be sacrificed to the fatal
knowledge--here, thank God, my life as well as my liberty are safe.

The contents of the papers told me all that was necessary to enable me
to support the character which I had assumed. The reason why the party,
whom I was supposed to be, was intrusted with it, was, that he was in a
direct line, eventually heir, and the question was whether he would
waive his claim with the others, and allow death to bury crime in
oblivion. I felt that were I in his position I should so do--and
therefore was prepared to give an answer to his lordship. I sealed up
the papers, dressed myself, and went to dinner; and after the cloth was
removed, Lord Windermear, first rising and turning the key in the door,
said to me, in a low voice, "You have read the papers, and what those,
nearly as much interested as you are in this lamentable business, have
decided upon. Tell me, what is your opinion?"

"My opinion, my lord, is, that I wish I had never known what has come to
light this day--that it will be most advisable never to recur to the
subject, and that the proposals made are, in my opinion, most judicious,
and should be acted upon."

"That is well," replied his lordship; "then all are agreed, and I am
proud to find you possessed of such honour and good feeling. We now drop
the subject for ever. Are you inclined to leave town with me, or what do
you intend to do?"