the bosom of your family, I cannot allow you to
remain in error. 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. I tell you this candidly, and
unless you renew the invitation, shall consider that it has not been
given."

Harcourt remained a short time without answering. "You really have
astonished me, Newland; but," continued he, extending his hand, "I
admire--I respect you, and I feel that I shall like you better. With ten
thousand pounds a-year, you were above me--now we are but equals. I, as
a younger brother, have but a bare competence, as well as you; and as
for parents--for the benefit I now derive from them, I might as well
have none. Not but my father is a worthy, fine old gentleman, but the
estates are entailed; he is obliged to keep up his position in society,
and he has a large family to provide for, and he can do no more. You
have indeed an uncommon moral courage to have made this confession. Do
you wish it to be kept a secret?"

"On the contrary, I wish the truth to be known."

"I am glad that you say so, as I have mentioned you as a young man of
large fortune to my father, but I feel convinced, when I tell him this
conversation, he will be much more pleased in taking you by the hand,
than if you were to come down and propose to one of my sisters. I repeat
the invitation with double the pleasure that I gave it at first."

"I thank you, Harcourt," replied I; "some day I will tell you more. I
must not expect, however, that everybody will prove themselves as noble
in ideas as yourself."

"Perhaps not, but never mind that. On Friday next then, we start."

"Agreed." I shook hands and left him.

Chapter XXXVII

I try back to recover the lost scent, and discover to my
astonishment, that I have been transported for forgery.

The behaviour of Harcourt was certainly a good encouragement, and had I
been wavering in my promise to Mr Masterton, would have encouraged me to
proceed. I returned home with a light heart and a pleasing satisfaction,
from the conviction that I had done right. The next morning I set off
for ----, and, as it was a long while since I had seen Fleta,