alth,
and my very handsome person and figure, ensured me a warm reception, and
I soon became one of the stars of the day. During this time, I also
gained the entire confidence of Mr Estcourt, who put letter after letter
into the hands of Timothy, who of course put them into the usual place.
I pacified him as long as I could, by expressing my opinion, that his
lordship was on a visit to some friends in the neighbourhood of his
seat; but at last, he would remain in town no longer. You may go now,
thought I, I feel quite safe.

It was about five days after his departure, as I was sauntering, arm in
arm with the Major, who generally dined with me about five days in the
week, that I perceived the carriage of Lord Windermear, with his
lordship in it. He saw us, and pulling his check-string, alighted, and
coming up to us, with the colour mounting to his forehead with emotion,
returned the salute of the Major and me.

"Major," said he, "you will excuse me, but I am anxious to have some
conversation with Mr Newland; perhaps," continued his lordship,
addressing me, "you will do me the favour to take a seat in my
carriage?"

Fully prepared, I lost none of my self-possession, but, thanking his
lordship, I bowed to him, and stepped in.

His lordship followed, and, saying to the footman, "Home--drive fast,"
fell back in the carriage, and never uttered one word until we had
arrived, and had entered the dining-parlour. He then took a few steps up
and down, before he said, "Mr Newland, or whatever your name may be, I
perceive that you consider the possession of an important secret to be
your safeguard. To state my opinion of your conduct is needless; who you
are, and what you are, I know not; but," continued he, no longer
controlling his anger; "you certainly can have no pretensions to the
character of a gentleman."

"Perhaps your lordship," replied I, calmly, "will inform me upon what
you may ground your inference."

"Did you not, in the first place, open a letter addressed to another?"

"My lord, I opened a letter brought to me with the initials of my name,
and at the time I opened it I fully believed that it was intended for
me."

"We will grant that, sir; but after you had opened it you must have
known that it was for some other person."

"I will not deny that, my lord."

"Notwithstanding which, you apply to my lawyer, representing yourself as
another person, to obtain sealed papers."

"I did, my lord; but allow me to