he better.' So no more at present
from your affectionate sister,

"Margaret Witherington.

"PS. Lady Betty and I both agree that you are very right in hiring
two black people to bring the child into your house, as it makes the
thing look _foreign_ to the neighbours, and we can keep our own
secrets.

"M.W."

"Now, by all the sins of the Witheringtons, if this is not enough to
drive a man out of his senses!--Confound the suspicious old maid! I'll
not let her come into this house. Confound Lady Betty, and all
scandal-loving old tabbies like her! Bless me!" continued Mr
Witherington, throwing the letter on the table with a deep sigh, "this
is anything but comfortable."

But if Mr Witherington found it anything but comfortable at the
commencement, he found it unbearable in the sequel.

His sister Moggy arrived, and installed herself in the house with all
the pomp and protecting air of one who was the saviour of her brother's
reputation and character. When the child was first brought down to her,
instead of perceiving at once its likeness to Mr Templemore, which was
very strong, she looked at it and at her brother's face with her only
eye, and shaking her finger, exclaimed--

"Oh, Antony! Antony! and did you expect to deceive me?--the nose--the
mouth exact--Antony, for shame! fie, for shame!"

But we must hurry over the misery that Mr Witherington's kindness and
benevolence brought upon him. Not a day passed--scarcely an hour,
without his ears being galled with his sister's insinuations. Judy and
Coco were sent back to America; the servants, who had remained so long
in his service, gave warning one by one, and afterwards, were changed as
often almost as there was a change in the moon. She ruled the house and
her brother despotically; and all poor Mr Witherington's comfort was
gone until the time arrived when Master Edward was to be sent to school.
Mr Witherington then plucked up courage, and after a few stormy months
drove his sister back to Bath, and once more found himself comfortable.

Edward came home during the holidays, and was a great favourite; but the
idea had become current that he was the son of the old gentleman, and
the remarks made were so unpleasant and grating to him, that he was not
sorry, much as he was attached to the boy, when he declared his
intention to choose the profession of a sailor.

Captain Maxwell introduced him into the service; and afterwards, when,
in conseq