nder chance of
being one day comforted by the dram-bottle; but resolved, if possible, to
set on foot an accurate inquiry into the economy and transactions of this
private inquisition, that ample justice might be done in favour of every
injured individual confined within its walls.

In the afternoon he did not fail to visit his Aurelia; and all the
protestations of their mutual passion were once more interchanged. He
now produced the letter which had caused such fatal disquiet in his
bosom; and Miss Darnel no sooner eyed the paper, than she recollected it
was a formal dismission, which she had intended and directed for Mr.
Sycamore. This the uncle had intercepted, and cunningly enclosed in
another cover, addressed to Sir Launcelot Greaves, who was now astonished
beyond measure to see the mystery so easily unfolded. The joy that now
diffused itself in the hearts of our lovers, is more easily conceived
than described; but, in order to give a stability to this mutual
satisfaction, it was necessary that Aurelia should be secured from the
tyranny of her uncle, whose power of guardianship would not otherwise
expire for some months.

Dr. Kawdle and his lady having entered into their deliberations on the
subject, it was agreed that Miss Darnel should have recourse to the
protection of the Lord Chancellor; but such application was rendered
unnecessary by the unexpected arrival of John Clump with the following
letter to Mrs. Kawdle from the steward of Anthony Darnel, dated at
Aurelia's house in the country:--

"MADAM,--It hath pleased God to afflict Mr. Darnel with a severe stroke
of the dead palsy.--He was taken ill yesterday, and now lies insensible,
seemingly at the point of death. Among the papers in his pocket I found
the enclosed, by which it appears that my honoured young lady, Miss
Darnel, is confined in a private madhouse. I am afraid Mr. Darnel's fate
is a just judgment of God upon him for his cruelty to that excellent
person. I need not exhort you, madam, to take immediately upon the
receipt of this, such measures as will be necessary for the enlargement
of my poor young lady. In the meantime, I shall do the needful for the
preservation of her property in this place, and send you an account of
any further alteration that may happen; being very respectfully, madam,
your most obedient humble servant, RALPH MATTOCKS."

Clump had posted up to London with this intimation on the wings of love,
and bein