urning to my chamber. I returned with the same caution
which I had used in descending; my feet were bare, so that it was easy
to proceed unattended by the smallest signal of my progress.

I had reached the carpeted staircase, and was slowly ascending, when I
heard, within the chamber that was occupied by the lady, a noise, as of
some one moving. Though not conscious of having acted improperly, yet I
felt reluctance to be seen. There was no reason to suppose that this
sound was connected with the detection of me in this situation; yet I
acted as if this reason existed, and made haste to pass the door and
gain the second flight of steps.

I was unable to accomplish my design, when the chamber door slowly
opened, and Welbeck, with a light in his hand, came out. I was abashed
and disconcerted at this interview. He started at seeing me; but,
discovering in an instant who it was, his face assumed an expression in
which shame and anger were powerfully blended. He seemed on the point of
opening his mouth to rebuke me; but, suddenly checking himself, he said,
in a tone of mildness, "How is this? Whence come you?"

His emotion seemed to communicate itself, with an electrical rapidity,
to my heart. My tongue faltered while I made some answer. I said, "I had
been seeking relief from the heat of the weather, in the bath." He heard
my explanation in silence; and, after a moment's pause, passed into his
own room, and shut himself in. I hastened to my chamber.

A different observer might have found in these circumstances no food for
his suspicion or his wonder. To me, however, they suggested vague and
tumultuous ideas.

As I strode across the room I repeated, "This woman is his daughter.
What proof have I of that? He once asserted it; and has frequently
uttered allusions and hints from which no other inference could be
drawn. The chamber from which he came, in an hour devoted to sleep, was
hers. For what end could a visit like this be paid? A parent may visit
his child at all seasons, without a crime. On seeing me, methought his
features indicated more than surprise. A keen interpreter would be apt
to suspect a consciousness of wrong. What if this woman be not his
child! How shall their relationship be ascertained?"

I was summoned at the customary hour to breakfast. My mind was full of
ideas connected with this incident. I was not endowed with sufficient
firmness to propose the cool and systematic observation of this man's
depor