complacency. More than once my hand was placed upon the bolt, but
withdrawn by a sudden faltering of resolution. When one attempt failed,
I recurred once more to such reflections as were adapted to renew my
purpose.

I preconcerted the address which I should use. I resolved to be
perfectly explicit; to withhold no particular of my adventures from the
moment of my arrival. My description must necessarily suit some person
within their knowledge. All I should want was liberty to depart; but, if
this were not allowed, I might at least hope to escape any ill
treatment, and to be confronted with my betrayer. In that case I did not
fear to make him the attester of my innocence.

Influenced by these considerations, I once more touched the lock. At
that moment the lady shrieked, and exclaimed, "Good God! What is here?"
An interesting conversation ensued. The object that excited her
astonishment was the child. I collected from what passed that the
discovery was wholly unexpected by her. Her husband acted as if equally
unaware of this event. He joined in all her exclamations of wonder and
all her wild conjectures. When these were somewhat exhausted, he
artfully insinuated the propriety of bestowing care upon the little
foundling. I now found that her grief had been occasioned by the recent
loss of her own offspring. She was, for some time, averse to her
husband's proposal, but at length was persuaded to take the babe to her
bosom and give it nourishment.

This incident had diverted my mind from its favourite project, and
filled me with speculations on the nature of the scene. One explication
was obvious, that the husband was the parent of this child, and had used
this singular expedient to procure for it the maternal protection of his
wife. It would soon claim from her all the fondness which she
entertained for her own progeny. No suspicion probably had yet, or would
hereafter, occur with regard to its true parent. If her character be
distinguished by the usual attributes of women, the knowledge of this
truth may convert her love into hatred. I reflected with amazement on
the slightness of that thread by which human passions are led from their
true direction. With no less amazement did I remark the complexity of
incidents by which I had been empowered to communicate to her this
truth. How baseless are the structures of falsehood, which we build in
opposition to the system of eternal nature! If I should escape
undetected from th