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Sev. Impudent knave! thou hast been draining draughts of insolence from yonder flagon.

Bri. Absolution followeth confession; verily I have tasted of its spiritualities; it did make me an innocent head-pillow, till I bethought me 'twere unsocial such near neighbours should be unacquainted; yet 'tis my intemperate nose should have the blame, which, quaffing as it were involuntarily inhalations of its goodly flavour, did persuade my envious mouth to become partner in the sin.

Sev. Shame to thee; let not the evil practice grow to habit, lest this same goodly flavour should prove thy mortal enemy.

Bri. Which to my thinking, Captain, would only prove, that I were the better Christian of us two; seeing I do so love my enemy. But 'tis ever thus your abstinent Italian gentleman doth rail at the enjoyment he hath no relish in; yet I warrant thou hast a taste, and I could hit it, whilst there be some dainty bits of fair flesh behind those impracticable walls, report saith the governor's dame alone were worth raising a siege to get a sight of.

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Sev. Who gave thee licence to prate after this fashion, thou unmannerly groom? I would thou wert compelled to eat thy words.

Bri. Fie! Captain, I would not wish a foe so bad a dinner; eat my words! a merry jest, i' faith.

Sev. Yet it were no jest to the unlucky dog who was caught skulking through the camp just now, with information for the enemy; he bore his errand in his mouth, but that his awkward speech betrayed him, and when sore pressed he swallowed it.

Bri. Surely, as doth every careful man lock up his valuables in a chest ; what, I warrant, you cut his throat to look at his words.

Lev. Nay, but the doctor quickly did oblige him to impart the sum of his intelligence. Harkee, fellow, if thou hast any sober sense remaining, General Stanhope ordereth that all things be appointed to the escalade, surrenderment is hourly expected, the signal of't will be a pistol-shot.

Bri. There would not have been any thing signal in that yesterday, but of late the town is just as mute as mice; suppose they have been muzzling all the women; alack a day! would I were once more safe on t'other side the channel.

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WHEN Howard quitted Hamiltonplace, it was with a firm resolution to sacrifice his fortune to any extent, or even life itself, in rescuing Meliora from the cruel opprobrium which the Earl's suspicions would have thrown upon her, though he could not but allow, in his own mind, that some of the circumstances elicited in the evidence, might seem to justify them, however fully himself might feel assured of their entire falseness; and on parting from Twiss, he strolled into a retired part of Hyde Park, in order to collect his ideas, to digest his opinions, and to form his arrangements accordingly.

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About eight months previous to the present period, Howard, at a small dinner party at Lord Annesley's, had been seated opposite to Colonel Levison, whose features struck him, as having been, in some former event of his life, perfectly familiar to him, though the recollection of them did not appear to be associated with any agreeable impression. On hearing the name of Levison pronounced, he found that he had not been mistaken in his notion; and the whole history of their earlier acquaintance recurred to his memory. Such was Howard's extraordinary faculty for preserving in his mind's eye any peculiarity of physiognomical expression, that he now recognized Levison to have been a passenger in the same vessel, which transported himself and his brother William from Liverpool to New York. The circumstance that probably had served to imprint this man's countenance so deeply in his recollection was, that he, Levison, who was then Serjeant, belonging to a small company of soldiers, which had been sent out to garrison a fort on the American coast, had, to beguile the tediousness of the voyage, as he said, engaged William in play, and succeeded in depriving the youthful adventurer of what was to him, at that time, no inconsiderable sum. But it having been subsequently intimated to the younger Howard, that Levison had played falsely, a violent dispute, terminating in blows, had arisen be

tween them; the interference of one of the superior officers soon put an end to the combat, but not before William had, by striking his antagonist on the face, so injured his nose as quite to deform it, a disfigurement which now served to mark, indubitably, to Howard, the identity of the person, though Levison did not manifest the smallest signs of the recognition being mu

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It was this very man whom Howard had observed engaged in deep and earnest conversation with the Countess, on the night of the concert; and as he passed them by unnoticed, his ears caught these remarkable words uttered by Levison, very emphatically, yet in an under tone,-"Six hundred and seventy pounds-paid-to-morrow ing.' The question naturally occurred to his mind, of what nature could be a debt, standing between two mere common acquaintances; the one party, a young and lovely female of high rank; the other, a questionable Colonel, for Levison had appeared to evade Howard's enquiries respecting his regiment, whom Howard knew to have risen from a low origin in life, and had heard accused as an unprincipled gamester? The subject of the confabulation, too, was evidenly a secret, from the retired and deserted spot which they had chosen for the discussion; and Howard fancied, that there was an air of confusion and embarrassment perceptible in the countenance and manner of Lady Annesley, as, on receiving a significant frown from Levison, she started round, and addressed him. And he felt half inclined, yet sorry, to think, that the sum he had heard quoted, was not, improbably, part of some gambling score, existing between the pseudo Colonel, and the rich, young, and thoughtless Countess. But these impressions and ideas passed swiftly through Howard's mind, and, before the next morning, he had dismissed every trace of so unprofitable a speculation. Immediately, however, on the discovery

of the forgery, the whole occurrence flashed on his recollection. The e perpetration of a fraud in the name of Lord Annesley, to obtain the specific sum of six hundred and seventy pounds, presented a coincidence too remarkable to be overlooked. It was under this impression that Howard had requested the interview with her Ladyship; and after delivering some trifling message from Mrs. Howard, he adverted to the circumstance of the forgery; observing, in a careless manner, yet with his deeply-sunken ken eye fixed on the Countess's varying countenance, "That forgery was a dangerous matter to meddle with, being denounced as a capital offence, even between a husband and wife." He saw the lady's cheek turn deadly pale, as in a faultering voice she iterated the words, "Capital offence!" but in stantly recollecting herself, she added, "Oh, yes, to be sure it is I think I have heard so before-a dreadful thing certainly." Howard had seen enough to satisfy himself, and took his leave. But as he passed out of the house, noticing the number of visiting tickets which were lying on the marble slab in the hall, he desired to have Colonel Levison's address; and when the porter delivered to him a card, inscribed, "Lieutenant-Colonel Levison, 160, Strand," he felt as if his suspicions had received confirmation. Still, however, the whole was but suspicion; and as he was careful not to accuse any one on such slight and inefficient evidence, and, perhaps, being anxious, that the merit of bringing about the entire justification and exculpation of Meliora, should rest e entirely with himself, he forbore to impart his view of the subject to Twiss, but retired, to form, in solitude, a clear and com prehensive analysis of this intricate and enigmatical transaction.

The result of half an hour's deliberation was this: that the surest and readiest mode of arriving at the truth would be, to confront with each other every person who was either accused, suspected, implicated, or in any degree connected with the business in question, He already possessed two principal, and import ant agents, in the clerk and the coachman. His next aim was to

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endeavour to produce the veiled lady in black, and to trace the object of her visit to the Strand. In pursuance of this purpose, Howard repaired to Levison's lodgings, carrying Cater along with him, in the hope, that he might be enabled to identify the dwelling. Cater, however, could say no farther, than that he believed it was the house at which he had stopped on the eventful Wednesday; at least, he was sure it was on that side of the street.

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A ticket on the shop-window hadvertised the vacancy of the first floor. Howard knocked at the door; and, on enquiring for Colonel Levison, was told, that he had, suddenly, quitted his lodgings a day or two before; but the landlady could not afford any information respecting the cause of his removal, or the then place of his abode. This abrupt departure and concealment of his destination, while it disappointed and perplexed Howard, seemed to be in unison with the doubts and dark surmises that he already entertained of the self-promoted. Colonel, To no purpose did he renew and urge his questions; the woman persisted in denying all knowledge of her late inmate, but, at length, allowed, that his man, Phillips, could tell where his master was gone to, whom, she expected, would call there in the course of an hour, to take away a parcel belonging to himself, which had been left in the hasty removal, -Howard requested permission to await this man's arrival, which was readily granted. He had traversed the extent of the drawing room, for nearly the space of two hours, de void of any other amusement or occupation, than what his own re flections furnished, before Phillipsto made his appearance, who, at first, assumed a most profound ignorance, till a liberal douceur from Howard.b produced a marvellous effect, in un-91 sealing his lips, and he instantly began to decry his late, master as of the most tyrannical and avaricious man that he had ever served." He is now fled to France for safety, continued the treacherous groom. st "I don't care who knows it; Lonly on wish he might be caught, and com pelled to give back some part of his ill-gotten gains, the loss of which has made many a heart ache, I war, oa

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rant." Howard, then, with a view to induce a full share of Phillips's confidence, partially disclosed the object that rendered him desirous of seeing the Colonel, and asked the servant if he remembered the visit of the lady he described.

Lady yes; there was but one lady who visited my master; and what she had to do with him I don't know; but I believe she was his own daughter; at least I found a letter as makes me think so, though she used to go under the name of Beresforde te y mas # "13" 1"'*

"Beresford!" repeated Howard, in amazement, immediately calling to mind the young female whom, thus denominated, he had been accustomed to see seated at the Earl's table.

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Did she come here on Wednesday morning ?" eagerly demanded he... "Yes, she did, the day my master left town," answered Phillips. "In a hackney coach ?" Yes."

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Howard turned to the post-mark for information; it was nearly obli terated; but after poring over the half-effaced characters for a length of time, he fancied that he could decypher the remains of what had once been, "Saturday, July 3, Pimlico," which was about three weeks anterior to the present period. On communicating the result of his inspection to Phillips, the latter recollected to have seen a note lying table, but a few days previously, directed to Miss Beresford, at Pimlico, which his master had, at first, given into his hands, with instructions to carry it to the office but shortly afterward countermanded the order, saying, he would himself drop it into the letter-box. Phillips had consequently caught but a transient view of the superscription, and the name, or number, of the particular street specified in the address, he was totally at a loss to conjecture. A map of London, and a court But to this point Phillips protest- guide, were procured, when he deed, and with truth, that his intelli-clared it, to the best of his memory, gence did not extend.

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Drest in black?", She has been in mourning lately," was the reply. ·

Tis she 'tis clear-aye, I have it all," exclaimed Howard; "there is a cruel mistake the innocent may suffer for the guilty--I must see this woman; where is she to be found? what is her address ?''

Howard desired to see the letter, which Phillips had alluded to, and which he now drew from his pocket. The contents were as follow: but, to Howard's severe mortification and disappointment, it bore no date, pro bably an intentional omission, either of time or place. home ne

"Dear Sir,In consequence of the death of Mrs. Beresford, I have just received a very affectionate and urgent invitation from my grandfather, to come and be his nurse, companion, housekeeper, &c. an offer which, with your permission, I propose to accept. Now, that the old gentleman is so fast hastening to his grave, I should conceive his resentment against you must have died away; though he makes no mention of you in his let ter, yet his sending for me wears a conciliatory aspect, and I hope, by a

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to have been Belgrave Street. It was now growing late in the day, yet the indefatigable champion of justice and humanity resolved to prosecute his search; and accordingly, after having anticipated Phillips fidelity and secresy, by a second fee, and caused him to afford a direction where he was to be found, left the house in the Strand, and, without stopping to take any refreshment on the way, repaired strait to the south-western extremity of the metropolis.

He knocked at every door, asked at every shop, in Belgrave-street, without being able to discover the object he was in quest of; but was told, to his consolation, that there was a row of houses, not far distant, called Belgrave Terrace, whither he proceeded, and went through a similar, yet still unsuccessful course of enquiry; though, from having heard

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of another street, named Belgrave Place, he was not in despair. But, when he had visited, without exception, every house here also, where every one agreed in declaring, that they had never even heard of the name of Beresford, Howard's spirits began to fail. One resource, however, was still left. This unfinished street was continued a little farther on, under the title of Upper Belgrave Place. Of these few houses the whole were not habitable, and not more than the half of them were inhabited. At five of them Howard had reiterated his usual question, and received the usual answer. Two more only remained to rest his hope on; and he actually experienced a sort of sick apprehension and nervous tremor, as he laid his hand on the knocker of the last door but one. Having repeated the signal for admission more than once, a young girl at length appeared, to answer to his demand for Miss Beresford.

"Miss Beresford, sir," replied the girl, civilly," did live here, but she has just left us; however, if you will please to walk in, sir," continued she, "I will ask my mother if she knows her address in the country."

Howard was on the point of exclaiming, "God bless you, my dear," but, repressing the fervent and premature benediction, he contented himself with simply expressing his thanks as he followed his conductor into a neat little parlour, where the damsel left him, but returned in a few minutes, and seating herself near to him, began to be very communicative: "I am extremely sorry, sir," said she, "that my mother is quite unacquainted with Miss Beresford's direction; but my sister knows it, and if you are particularly anxi

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"Well, sir, if you will go to Isaac's warehouse, No. 91, Houndsditch, and ask to see Miss Sarah Cormack, she is sure to be there; and I know she can tell the place where Miss Beresford is gone to live at; because, sir, to say the truth, Bridget, before she left town, bought part of a ticket in the lottery, a sixteenth I believe it was, and she told my sister Sarah to look after it, and send her word whether it came up a blank or a prize."

With this direction impressed on his recollection, Howard rose to take leave, and after making his acknowledgments to the pretty black-eyed Hibernian for her information, and, what spoke more eloquently, putting a sovereign into her hand, hurried from the house; but as it was now growing dark he resolved not to travel any farther on his voyage of discovery till the next day; and, harassed and fatigued in the greatest degree, returned to a coffee-house near Buckingham-gate, where, having ordered dinner, or more properly supper, he took up his abode for the night. Before ten o'clock on the next morning Howard was in Houndsditch, where he obtained all the intelligence he was in search of, namely, Miss Beresford's present place of abode. The direction given to him was simply this:-Miss B. L. Beresford, Mr. Beresford, Forest Farm, Whitchurch, Hampshire, not more than twenty-five miles from London.

But now a most perplexing difficulty presented itself. By what means could Howard hope to induce the young lady and her estimable father to return to the metropolis? the latter having quitted it with an intention, perhaps, never again to revisit the scene of his iniquity and disgrace; and the former considering herself finally established in her then place of residence. It was obvious that neither of them would consent to appear to give testimony on the benevolent principles of justice, charity, and a desire to clear the fame of an injured female. Had the matter been brought indeed to a public and regular trial, Howard would have been empowered to subpœna them as witnesses, but he was anxious, for the sake of the countess, to avoid pushing the question to this extremity. After pondering on the

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