u allow me to have a few minutes'
conversation with you alone."

"This gentleman is my secretary, sir, but if you wish it, certainly; for
although he is my confidant, I have no right to insist that he shall be
yours. Mr Temple, will you oblige me by going up stairs for a little
while."

The secretary quitted the room, the bishop pointed to a chair, and I sat
down. I looked him earnestly in the face--the nose was exact, and I
imagined that even in the other features I could distinguish a
resemblance. I was satisfied that I had at last gained the object of my
search. "I believe, sir," observed I, "that you will acknowledge, that
in the heat and impetuosity of youth, we often rush into hasty and
improvident connections."

I paused, with my eyes fixed upon his. "Very true, my young sir; and
when we do we are ashamed, and repent of them afterwards," replied the
bishop, rather astonished.

"I grant that, sir," replied I; "but at the same time, we must feel that
we must abide by the results, however unpleasant."

"When we do wrong, Mr Newland," replied the bishop, first looking at my
card, and then upon me, "we find that we are not only to be punished in
the next world, but suffer for it also in this. I trust you have no
reason for such suffering?"

"Unfortunately, the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children,
and, in that view, I may say that I have suffered."

"My dear sir," replied the bishop, "I trust you will excuse me, when I
say, that my time is rather valuable; if you have anything of importance
to communicate--anything upon which you would ask my advice--for
assistance you do not appear to require, do me the favour to proceed at
once to the point."

"I will, sir, be as concise as the matter will admit of. Allow me,
then, to ask you a few questions, and I trust to your honour, and the
dignity of your profession, for a candid answer. Did you not marry a
young woman early in life? and were you not very much pressed in your
circumstances?"

The bishop stared. "Really, Mr Newland, it is a strange question, and
I cannot imagine to what it may lead, but still I will answer it. I did
marry early in life, and I was, at that time, not in very affluent
circumstances."

"You had a child by that marriage--your eldest born--a boy!"

"That is also true, Mr Newland," replied the bishop, gravely.

"How long is it since you have seen him?"

"It is many years," replied the bishop, putting his handkerc