ago; but we will send
for the secretary, and refer to the minutes."

My heart beat quick, and the perspiration bedewed my forehead, when I
heard this intelligence. At last, my emotion was so great, that I felt
faint. "You are ill, sir," said one of the gentlemen; "quick--a glass of
water."

The attendant brought a glass of water, which I drank, and recovered
myself. "You appear to be much interested in this young man's welfare."

"I am, sir," replied I; "no one can be more so."

The secretary now made his appearance with the register, and after
turning over the leaves, read as follows: "August the 16th--, a
gentleman came to inquire after an infant left here, of the name of
Japhet, with whom money had been deposited--Japhet, christened by order
of the governors, Japhet Newland--referred to the shop of Mr Cophagus,
Smithfield Market. He returned the next day, saying that Mr Cophagus had
retired from business--that the parties in the shop knew nothing for
certain, but believed that the said Japhet Newland had been transported
for life for forgery, about a year before."

"Good heavens! what an infamous assertion!" exclaimed I, clasping my
hands.

"On reference back to the calendar, we observed that one J. Newland was
transported for such an offence. Query?"

"It must have been some other person; but this has arisen from the
vindictive feeling of those two scoundrels who served under Pleggit,"
cried I.

"How can you possibly tell, sir?" mildly observed one of the governors.

"How can I tell, sir?" replied I, starting from my chair. "Why, I am
_Japhet Newland_ myself, sir."

"You, sir," replied the governor, surveying my fashionable exterior, my
chains, and bijouterie.

"Yes, sir, I am the Japhet Newland brought up in this asylum, and who
was apprenticed to Mr Cophagus."

"Probably, then, sir," replied the president, "you are the Mr Newland
whose name appears at all the fashionable parties in high life?"

"I believe that I am the same person, sir."

"I wish you joy upon your success in the world, sir. It would not appear
that it can be very important to you to discover your parents."

"Sir," replied I, "you have never known what it is to feel the want of
parents and friends. Fortunate as you may consider me to be--and I
acknowledge I have every reason to be grateful for my unexpected rise in
life--I would, at this moment, give up all that I am worth, resume my
Foundling dress, and be turned out a beggar,