y friend; and if as you say, he might
desert me when you are dead, or supposed to be so, it is evident that
his motive of action must be fear. You have the secret of my birth,
which he supposes to be known only to you and to him. I am convinced
that if you were supposed dead, and that the secret was his own, if he
thought that there was no proof whatever against him, he would then not
care showing towards me that regard which he is inclined to feel as a
father, and which is now checked by his pride. Captain Delmar is
naturally of a kind and affectionate disposition--that I am sure of.
Your memory would do more for me than your existence ever can, and as
for the rest, leave that to me. At all events, if he should, as I do
not believe he will, be inclined to throw me off, I have still his
written acknowledgment that I am his son, to make use of in case of
necessity. Now, my dear mother, you must consent to do as I wish. Give
up your business as soon as possible, and retire to another part of the
country. When I consider it a proper time to do so, your death shall be
made known to him. I have no doubt that he will be afloat again in a
few months, and when we are out of England I will bide the proper time."

"But your grandmother, Percival--must I tell her?"

"No; tell her only that you intend to retire from business and go away
from Chatham; say that you will in future reside in Devonshire, and ask
her to accompany you. Depend upon it she will be pleased with your
intentions. As to what we arrange relative to Captain Delmar, say
nothing to her--she hates his very name, and is not likely to talk about
him."

"Well, Percival you will allow me till to-morrow to think about it
before I give a decided answer."

"Certainly, my dear mother; I wish you so to do, as I am convinced that
you will agree with me; and I infinitely prefer that you should decide
on conviction, than be induced by maternal regard."

As I was well assured, my mother's decision was favourable to my wishes.
She consulted with my grandmother, who approved of her intentions, and
then it was made public that Mrs Keene intended to retire from
business, and that the good-will was to be disposed of along with the
stock. My aunt Milly and Captain Bridgeman appeared well content that
my mother should take the step which she proposed. In short, all the
family approved of the measure, which is not a very usual circumstance
in this world. I now employed