, capable of
making me a great man or a great malefactor, such a passion I have
never known. Some one in our family, on the contrary, has been ruled
by such a passion; and many things I observed in my boyhood without
thinking much about them. But you are a discreet man, otherwise
Francis would not confide in you as she has done; and, besides,
you are a relation of the family--it is better you should be warned."

After a pause--

"Know then that amongst all the trades I tried in Germany, I have had
the honour to be croupier in a gaming-house. There, unrecognized by my
unfortunate father, I have seen him play with a violence of passion
of which you can form no idea; and, believe me, in spite of all my
faults, it is in that way both his own and Francis's fortune have
been lost. I would have thrown myself at his feet, and besought him
not to precipitate himself deeper into this abyss; but my position
prevented me. Still, I watched him without his knowing it, and I soon
found out for a certainty that he borrowed money of a Dutch banker,
to whom he gave bills on Francis's property;--and, you see, rather
than confess this to her, he has accused me----"

"But such conduct is abominable!"

"Ah! passions do not reason. I was far away, and my name was already
sullied. I only desire to clear myself in Francis's opinion. But to
conclude my history: I was not more lucky in the New World than I had
been in Europe; I was shipwrecked and lost my all before I could land
at New York. I then went to the far West without meeting with anything
which promised me a future; in short, I felt quite happy when I made
the acquaintance of Mr. Stonehouse, who engaged me to accompany his
circus to Europe. And so it has come about that I once more tread
my native earth under the protection of the American flag. Once so
near the Werve, I was seized with an irresistible desire to see the
old place again. My satisfaction and reception have not been very
flattering, as you have witnessed; but I will keep my promise to
Francis, cost me what it may. And now good night."

Without awaiting my answer he threw himself at full length on the
sofa, and soon gave me auricular evidence that he was enjoying the
profoundest slumber. I had nothing better to do than follow his
example. When I opened my eyes in the morning he had disappeared,
but he had left his pocket-book and the notes on the table.

After mature reflection I came to the conclusion that his surmi