recollect, it was you who broke the seals,
and insisted upon my reading the papers."

"Yes, sir, under your false name."

"It is the name by which I go at present, although I acknowledge it is
false; but that is not my fault--I have no other at present."

"It is very true, sir, that in all I have now mentioned the law will not
reach you; but recollect, that by assuming another person's name--"

"I never did, my lord," interrupted I.

"Well, I may say, by inducing me to believe that you were my nephew, you
have obtained money under false pretences; and for that I now have you
in my power."

"My lord, I never asked you for the money; you yourself paid it into the
banker's hands to my credit, and to my own name. I appeal to you now,
whether, if you so deceived yourself, the law can reach me?"

"Mr Newland, I will say, that much as I regret what has passed, I
regret more than all the rest, that one so young, so prepossessing, so
candid in appearance, should prove such an adept in deceit. Thinking
you were my nephew, my heart warmed towards you; and I must confess,
that since I have seen my real nephew, the mortification has been very
great."

"My lord, I thank you; but allow me to observe, that I am no swindler.
Your thousand pounds you will find safe in the bank, for penury would
not have induced me to touch it. But now that your lordship appears
more cool, will you do me the favour to listen to me? When you have
heard my life up to the present, and my motives for what I have done,
you will then decide how far I am to blame."

His lordship took a chair, and motioned to me to take another. I
narrated what had occurred when I was left at the Foundling, and gave
him a succinct account of my adventures subsequently--my determination
to find my father--the dream which induced me to go for the papers--and
all that the reader has already been acquainted with. His lordship
evidently perceived the monomania which controlled me, and heard me with
great attention.

"You certainly, Mr Newland, do not stand so low in my opinion as you
did before this explanation, and I must make allowances for the
excitement under which I perceive you to labour on one subject; but now,
sir, allow me to put one question, and I beg that you will answer
candidly. What price do you demand for your secrecy on this important
subject?"

"My lord!" replied I, rising with dignity; "this is the greatest affront
you have put upon me yet; sti