uch a Noah's ark, that it's no wonder I
thought of it."

"You're an undutiful dog, not to ask after your mother, sir."

"I was about--"

"I see--I see," interrupted his lordship; "but recollect, John, that she
still is _your mother_. By-the-by, have you read the papers yet?"

"No, sir," replied I; "there they are, pointing to them on the side
table. I really do not like to break the seals."

"That they will not contain pleasant intelligence, I admit," replied his
lordship; "but until you have read them, I do not wish to converse with
you on the subject, therefore," said he, taking up the packet, and
breaking the seals, "I must now insist that you employ this forenoon in
reading them through. You will dine with me at seven, and then we will
talk the matter over."

"Certainly, sir, if you wish it, I will read them."

"I must _insist_ upon it, John; and am rather surprised at your
objecting, when they concern you so particularly."

"I shall obey your orders, sir."

"Well, then, my boy, I shall wish you good morning, that you may
complete your task before you come to dinner. To-morrow, if you wish
it--but recollect, I never press young men on these points, as I am
aware that they sometimes feel it a restraint--if you wish it, I say,
you may bring your portmanteaus, and take up your quarters with me.
By-the-by," continued his lordship, taking hold of my coat, "who made
this?"

"The tailor to his Serene Highness the Prince of Darmstadt had that
honour, my lord," replied I.

"Humph! I thought they fitted better in Germany; it's not quite the
thing--we must consult Stulz, for with that figure and face, the coat
ought to be quite correct. Adieu, my dear fellow, till seven."

His lordship shook hands with me, and I was left alone. Timothy came in
as soon as his lordship's carriage had driven off.

"Well, sir," said he, "was your uncle glad to see you?"

"Yes," replied I; "and look, he has broken open the seals, and has
insisted upon my reading the papers."

"It would be very undutiful in you to refuse, so I had better leave you
to your task," said Timothy, smiling, as he quitted the room.

PART ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY.

I OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH MY BANKERS, DRAW LARGELY UPON CREDULITY, AND AM
PROSPEROUS WITHOUT A CHECK.

I sat down and took up the papers. I was immediately and strangely
interested in all that I read. A secret!--it was, indeed, a secret,
involving the honour and reputation of the most