oling
for three years at least. The poor child wept bitterly at the
separation, and I could with difficulty detach her little arms from my
neck; and I felt when I left her as if I had parted with the only
valuable object to me on earth.

All was now ready; but Timothy did not, as yet, assume his new clothes.
It would have appeared strange that one who sat at my table should
afterwards put on my livery; and as in a small town there is always
plenty of scandal, for Fleta's sake, if for no other reason, it was
deferred until our arrival in London. Wishing the landlady good-bye,
who I really believed would have given up her bill to have known who we
could possibly be, we got on the outside of the stage-coach, and in the
evening arrived at the metropolis. I have been particular in describing
all these little circumstances, as it proves how very awkward it is to
jump, without observation, from one station in society to another.

PART ONE, CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

I RECEIVE A LETTER FROM MY UNCLE, BY WHICH I NATURALLY EXPECT TO FIND
OUT WHO IS MY FATHER--LIKE OTHER OUTCASTS I AM WARNED BY A DREAM.

But I have omitted to mention a circumstance of great importance which
occurred at the inn the night before I placed Fleta at the
boarding-school. In looking over my portmanteau, I perceived the
present of Nattee to Fleta, which I had quite forgotten. I took it to
Fleta, and told her from whom it came. On opening the paper, it proved
to contain a long chain of round coral and gold beads, strung
alternately; the gold beads were not so large as the coral, but still
the number of them, and the purity of the metal, made them of
considerable value. Fleta passed the beads through her fingers, and
then threw it round her neck, and sat in deep thought for some minutes.
"Japhet," said she at last, "I have seen this--I have worn this before--
I recollect that I have; it rushes into my memory as an old friend, and
I think that before morning it will bring to my mind something that I
shall recollect about it."

"Try all you can Fleta, and let me know to-morrow."

"It's no use trying; if I try, I never can recollect anything. I must
wear it to-night, and then I shall have something come into my mind all
of a sudden; or perhaps I may dream something. Good night."

It immediately occurred to me that it was most probable that the chain
had been on Fleta's neck at the time that she was stolen from her
parents, and might prove the mean