r than that she knew little. I was determined that before I
quitted she should know all. I dared not trust the last part to her when
I was present, but I resolved that I would do it in writing.

Lady de Clare made no difficulty whatever of leaving me with Fleta. She
was now a beautiful creature, of between fifteen, and sixteen, bursting
into womanhood, and lovely as the bud of the moss-rose; and she was
precocious beyond her years in _intellect_. I stayed there three days,
and had frequent opportunities of conversing with her; I told her that
I wished her to be acquainted with my whole life, and interrogated her
as to what she knew: I carefully filled up the chasms, until I brought
it down to the time at which I placed her in the arms of her mother. "And
now, Fleta," said I, "you have much more to learn--you will learn that
much at my departure. I have dedicated hours every night in writing it
out; and, as you will find, have analysed my feelings, and have pointed
out to you where I have been wrong. I have done it for my amusement, as
it may be of service even to a female."

On the third day I took my leave, and requesting the pony chaise of Lady
de Clare, to take me over to ----, that I might catch the first coach
that went westward, for I did not care which; I put into Fleta's hands
the packet which I had written, containing all that had passed, and I
bid her farewell.

"Lady de Clare, may you be happy," said I. "Fleta--Cecilia, I should
say, may God bless and preserve you, and sometimes think of your sincere
friend, Japhet Newland."

"Really, Mr Newland," said Lady de Clare, "one would think we were never
to see you again."

"I hope that will not be the case, Lady de Clare, for I know nobody to
whom I am more devoted."

"Then, sir, recollect we are to see you very soon."

I pressed her ladyship's hand, and left the house. Thus did I commence
my second pilgrimage.

Chapter LVII

My new career is not very prosperous at its commencement--I am
robbed, and accused of being a robber--I bind up wounds, and am
accused of having inflicted them--I get into a horse-pond, and
out of it into gaol.

I had proceeded half a mile from the house, when I desired the servant
to turn into a cross-road so as to gain Brentford; and, so soon as I
arrived, the distance being only four miles, I ordered him to stop at a
public-house, saying that I would wait till the coach should pass by. I
then gave hi