e birth, respecting the integrity of my purpose.
I forgot the artifices by which I had formerly been betrayed, and the
embarrassments which a meeting with the victim of his artifices would
excite in him; I thought only of the happiness which his recovery would
confer upon his uncle and his cousins.

I advanced towards him with an air of congratulation, and offered him my
hand. He shrunk back, and exclaimed, in a feeble voice, "Who are you?
What business have you here?"

"I am the friend of Wallace, if he will allow me to be so. I am a
messenger from your uncle and cousins at _Malverton_. I came to know the
cause of your silence, and to afford you any assistance in my power."

He continued to regard me with an air of suspicion and doubt. These I
endeavoured to remove by explaining the motives that led me hither. It
was with difficulty that he seemed to credit my representations. When
thoroughly convinced of the truth of my assertions, he inquired with
great anxiety and tenderness concerning his relations; and expressed his
hope that they were ignorant of what had befallen him.

I could not encourage his hopes. I regretted my own precipitation in
adopting the belief of his death. This belief had been uttered with
confidence, and without stating my reasons for embracing it, to Mr.
Hadwin. These tidings would be borne to his daughters, and their grief
would be exasperated to a deplorable and perhaps to a fatal degree.

There was but one method of repairing or eluding this mischief.
Intelligence ought to be conveyed to them of his recovery. But where was
the messenger to be found? No one's attention could be found disengaged
from his own concerns. Those who were able or willing to leave the city
had sufficient motives for departure, in relation to themselves. If
vehicle or horse were procurable for money, ought it not to be secured
for the use of Wallace himself, whose health required the easiest and
speediest conveyance from this theatre of death?

My companion was powerless in mind as in limbs. He seemed unable to
consult upon the means of escaping from the inconveniences by which he
was surrounded. As soon as sufficient strength was regained, he had left
the hospital. To repair to _Malverton_ was the measure which prudence
obviously dictated; but he was hopeless of effecting it. The city was
close at hand; this was his usual home; and hither his tottering and
almost involuntary steps conducted him.

He listened to