says,
'into confirmation strong as holy writ.' Now, consider, somebody calls
at the Foundling to ask after you--which I acknowledge to be a
satisfactory point--his name is taken down by an illiterate brute, as
Derbennon; but how you can decide upon the real name, and assume it is
De Benyon, is really more than I can imagine, allowing every scope to
fancy. It is in the first instance, therefore, you are at fault, as
there are many other names which may have been given by the party who
called; nay, more, is it at all certain that the party, in a case like
this, would give his real name? Let us follow it up. Allowing the name
to have been De Benyon, you discover that one brother is not married,
and that there are some papers belonging to him in the possession of an
old woman who dies; and upon these slight grounds what would you attempt
to establish? that because that person was known not to have married,
therefore _he was married_ (for you are stated to have been born in
wedlock): and because there is a packet of papers belonging to him in the
possession of another party, that this packet of papers _must refer_ to
you. Do you not perceive how you are led away by your excited feelings
on the subject?"

I could not deny that Mr Masterton's arguments had demolished the whole
fabric which I had built up. "You are right, sir," replied I mournfully,
"I wish I were dead."

"Never speak in that way, Mr Newland, before me," replied the old lawyer
in an angry tone, "without you wish to forfeit my good opinion."

"I beg your pardon, sir; but I am most miserable. I am avoided by all
who know me--thrown out of all society--I have not a parent or a
relative. Isolated being as I am, what have I to live for?"

"My dear fellow, you are not twenty-three years of age," replied Mr
Masterton, "and you have made two sincere friends, both powerful in their
own way. I mean Lord Windermear and myself; and you have had the pleasure
of making others happy. Believe me, that is much to have accomplished at
so early an age. You have much to live for--live to gain more
friends--live to gain reputation--live to do good--to be grateful for
the benefits you have received, and to be humble when chastened by
Providence. You have yet to learn where, and only where, true happiness
is to be found. Since you are so much out of spirits, go down to Lady de
Clare's, see her happiness, and that of her little girl; and then, when
you reflect that it was your own