"Upwards of two years were spent in these travels, during which I always cherished hopes of meeting with the person who had so urgently sought after me; and at the lapse of that time, those thoughts which, without doubt, arise in the breast of every one after a prolonged absence from his native shores, arose in mine. They veered homewards, and I obeyed their direction. Sailing from Odessa to Marseilles, I thence came by land to Calais. At Dover, for the first time, I engaged a footman, I believe for the purpose, as much as any other, of checking my passion against names; for the attendance of a servant, I thought, would oblige me to adhere finally to my present one, and perhaps serve as a preventive to any more annoyances springing from a similarity of names. I once had a floating idea of resuming Smith, imagining that it might act as a guide to the unknown enquirer; but when I recollected the forest of Smiths, I easily gave it up -another cruel effort of destiny, as it eventually appeared. As it was a matter of indifference whither I turned my steps, I purchased two horses for myself and servant, and resolved to visit some of the watering-places, and ride through the country leisurely, Tunbridge Wells being the first place fixed upon. I now approach what I regard as the most important event in my life, which has in its issue left me utterly destitute of hope and desire which has reduced me to that state of mind which can defy not merely insignificant man, but the utmost might of nature's prodigious power. What should restrain me this instant from 'seeking the mysteries of the eternal abyss!"

Here the stranger's feelings, which had latterly been evidently increasing in intensity, completely overpowered him; he paused, drank several glasses of wine with rapidity, as if some inward fever was raging, and then throwing himself back in his chair, gazed at me for a moment with a vacant stare. I felt painfully embarrassed, and at length was beginning gently to change the subject, and advert to other topics, when he interrupted me, "No, no," said he, shall recover presently-I must apo.. logize for this outbreak of emotionyou will be enabled to judge whether I have not grounds for affliction;"

"I

another short pause ensued, and then he proceeded.

"We were within about five miles of Tunbridge Wells, when we perceived a single person scuffling with several labourers; we rode up, and, leaping from our horses, we engaged in defence of the weaker party. We were nearly worsted, when, remembering my pistols, I drew them out, and threatened to fire on the villains if they did not desist. I extricated the unfortunate victim of their brutalitythe assailants immediately taking to their heels. The stranger thanked me in the most courteous manner; but it was not without much persuasion that I could induce him to mount my horse, while I walked by the sidemy man also having received a smart blow-while as yet I felt no ill effects from the mêlée. The stranger, as he recounted to me, had lately come from Paris. The stage-coach in which he had journeyed from London had set him down within seven miles of Tunbridge Wells, the coachman representing that he was only a short distance from that place an account which he, ignorant of the topography of the neighbourhood, never doubted till on the road. The men whom I saw had mischievously thrown mud over him, and on his remonstrating, had attempted to add robbery to insult. He was then about to join his mother and sister, who were staying in that place for the sake of the latter's health, accompanied by an elder brother. When we arrived at an inn in the town, I was suddenly seized with a severe illness, resulting from a violent blow on the head, of which I had been hitherto unconscious, and in consequence was obliged to go to bed instantly, after ordering Samuel, my footman, to attend the stranger to his mother's residence.

"The next morning, as I was sitting in a private room, still suffering from the conflict, the dangerous effects of which, however, had been averted by timely precaution, he entered, and with him his brother, mother, and sister. The first thanked me rather formally, the second with expressions of real gratitude, but the accents of the third seemed to thrill my very heart's chords, as she gently assured me she should never forget my services to her brother. I may as well tell you who they were. William, (the eldest,) Edmund, and Louisa, were the children of a gentleman of small independent fortune, the interest of which he had bequeathed to his widow, the principal to be divided, at her death, among the survivers, except William, who had already been comfortably provided for by an uncle's bequest. Edmund was a junior partner in a mercantile firm, to the foreign business of which he principally attended. During the four or five days that I was confined, the visits of one or other of them never intermitted. Edmund and Louisa sometimes came by themselves, or with their mother only, unaccompanied by William, on which occasions I could not avoid remarking that their conversation was more unrestrained. When entirely convalescent, I received an invitation to their house, with which I willingly complied, for their unaffected solicitude had worn down a great deal of the growing asperity of my disposition to its former level, and a few visits let me into their respective characters. William was proud, imperious, and passionate, his domineering temper displaying itself on all opportunitiesin fact, seeming to seek for them. He was not long in insinuating to me that he was the appointed guardian of his sister, coupling with this piece of news several significant hints, which, however, I did not pretend to understand. In spite of their efforts to the contrary, the others could not conceal the truth that his presence, unenlightened as it was by the least scintillation of rational conversational acquirements, threw a heavy cloud over their enjoyments, while a bashaw's mandates could not have required more implicit obedience than his met with, cruelly selfish as I have sometimes known them. The fellow seemed to imagine, that he had an unqualified title to any sacrifice from them.

I

can aver, that his absence was a source of real gratification to me, for their sakes. Edmund was quite the reverse of this picture. He had a well-cultivated mind, and was free-hearted, manly, and gay, without overstepping the bounds of reason, his absence being precisely the presence of the other. Their outward figures were as opposite; the former being short, illfeatured, and conceitedly awkward; while the latter was tall, unaffectedly

NO. CCXCIII, VOL. XLVII.

graceful, and displayed his disposition on his handsome countenance, always radiant with the beams of good-humour. Louisa was almost a female fac-simile of Edmund-a lowness of spirits, which I attributed to the depressed state of her health, excepted. Mrs. V. the mother, was an elder prototype, if I may so speak, of her daughter: and thus I have sketched them.

"Our intimacy daily increased, particularly between Edmund and myself, the first friendship I had ever contracted. His nobility of soul fairly broke down all the moody resolutions upon which I had acted for a long time past, and I cannot say that I was pained at departing from them in his favour. When freed from the freezing coldness of William's company, we were all as happy as similar habits and tastes could make us. As for the latter, I treated him with civility, and more was impossible; but often did I burn with indignation at his mode of behaviour to beings so infinitely above him in every moral point of view; and my indignation would have burst out into open remonstrance, had I not restrained myself by considerations for their welfare. He returned my civility with superciliousness, which, for the same reason, I passed by without notice; but I could perceive the glance of enmity from beneath his shaggy eyebrows.

"Two or three months elapsed, and Louisa began to exhibit manifest symptoms of returning health. Pleased as her mother was at this sight, her matron judgment took the alarm. She watched and found that these symptoms were always more clearly developed in my company. She next questioned her, and their mutual confidence procured the ready avowal that I was not indifferent to her. The next time Edmund and I were together, he observed, 'My brother is certainly the most proper person to depute for this purpose; but my mother is so afraid of his violent temper, that the disagreeable task has fallen upon me. I have no suspicions-God knows, you have never given cause for any-but my sister's happiness is risked. He then explained that she had conceived a warm partiality for me, which, if not impeded, would increase to an intense passion. He therefore begged to be

Y

informed whether I had any serious intentions, as the instant withdrawal of either from the spot might prevent any mischief. Though I had viewed Louisa with admiration, I had not yet said to myself, 'I love her.' Edmund's words aroused me to the perception that I should be pained at parting from her in short, that I was in love. My resolution was immediately taken. I represented to him, that, averse as I should have been at any time to throw an obstacle in the way of her complete restoration to health, which unsuccessful love was certainly not calculated to promote, I now felt, in addition, that my own happiness was concerned, and therefore, with his permission, I would at once assume the character of his sister's intended. I instructed him in so much of my life as related to my unknown birth and education; with the offer of reference to prove that I was qualified to maintain her in comfort, if not in splendour; fully purposing, at another opportunity, to have given him a relation of all my adventures, but one thing or other delayed it. Better, perhaps, would it have been for me had I entered upon it at the moment, but I did not. Edmund expressed himself satisfied, as did also Mrs. V. William alone remained to be consulted, and he, after several growls of remonstrance, declared that he should act as he thought fit, and that they were at liberty to do the same. The motives for his demeanour I could not fathom, unless it was that he looked upon me as a restraint, to a certain degree, upon his brutal freedom of action. However, as none but himself had any objection, Louisa and myself were closeted, and from her own lips I heard a warm confirmation of the fact. Though Edmund, with that unsuspicious generosity almost peculiar to himself, had refrained from the enquiries I courted, William was not so slack, but as yet he discovered no means of mischief; however, from some hints which my servant dropped, I found that he had condescended to tamper with him, and, though fearless of any reports which he could make, I was indignant at the idea of having such a spy upon me, and therefore discharged him.

"Not to trouble you with matters of triffing import, suffice it to say, that at

length we all departed for London; and now my story draws to a close. Enraptured with my felicity, no gaunt images of the past were permitted to intrude upon my imagination, the occurrences which marked my early residence in the metropolis being, as I imagined, consigned to oblivion. Taking up my abode for a few days in a tavern, I employed myself in furnishing a house in the outskirts of town, and visiting my Louisa, who became more and more endeared to me every hour: Edmund, meanwhile, having gone to Paris, promised to return to be present at our marriage. But my dream of pleasure lasted not quite a week. A fiend of earth was now in union with those invisible demons who had previously persecuted me. William alone appeared dissatisfied at the approaching nuptials, which, however, he had yet devised no means to impede: and I now trace his motions to chagrin at the impending loss of superintendence and command over his sister and the funds assigned for her support, and perhaps a fear of being called to account. Be that as it may, on the evening of Tuesday week he came into the room where I was sitting at tea with Mrs V. and my beloved, and eyed me with a look of silent exultation, that disconcerted me, though I knew not why. Some unseen monitors-such, perhaps, as Defoe alludes to-bade me prepare for some cursed exigency, and not without reason.

"The following morning, as I was at breakfast in my new habitation, on which, by-the-by, I had entered only a couple of days, who was shown into the room but the identical Mr T. with whom I had such unpleasant communications on a former occasion? He seemed to recognise me directly; and, in answer to my queries, produced a warrant to apprehend Walter Campbell on a charge of swindling. I was thunderstruck; and some minutes passed before I could regain self-possession, though naturally convinced that there was another error of person. I entreated Mr T. to give me some information. The officer, whose performance of his painful duties was remarkable for an absence of unnecessary harshness, drew a paper from his pocket, and pointed my attention to a paragraph, warning the public-by

Heavens! will you believe me?-against a person named Walter Campbell. The concluding sentence ran thus:He has a very gentlemanly and prepossessing address, is generally dressed in a blue coat, dark trousers, and light waistcoat, and is sometimes attended by a man servant, no doubt a partner in his villanies, and has hitherto given the name of Walter Campbell.' The perusal of this paragraph rather cooled me, since I was conscious that, save the again fatal similarity of names, and some particulars of dress, it was not applicable to me. I willingly acceded to Mr T.'s request to search the house; and, this done, proceeded with him to the police-office. On entering the justice-room I was surprised to see William and my quondam footman; when the whole truth flashed vividly he had taken advantage of the similarity of names to gratify his malice by the infliction of this disgrace on me. The triumph was greater than even he had anticipated. He mi might have intended to make the fact of my apprehension a ground for insisting on a separation between me and his family; but he did not expect that I should have been pointed out as having been at that office several years before, in the name of Jones, on an accusation of forgery. What end the man was to have served, is a secret; for, before he could be called on, I was discharged in consequence of the respective tradesmen who had been sent for, unanimously deponing that I was not the individual who had defrauded them. I hastened from the office to Mrs V. The instant Louisa saw me she rushed to my embrace, passionately declaring that she could not and did not give any credit to the assertion that I was guilty of any thing wrong, my appearance at large assuring her that I had been wrongfully accused. She had been informed of what had taken place by one of my servants. This was the acmé of love. She believed me not merely innocent of the present charge, but incapable of any dereliction from honour and honesty. I was uttering my protestations to the same effect, and was about to commence a further explanation, when William entered. He, having doubtless lingered behind to obtain some particulars concerning the check affair, now in a loud voice com

on my mind. He was the informer

manded me to leave the room. I demurred. Too cowardly himself to attempt to part us, he called assistance, and I was ejected by force. In an ecstasy of anguish I ran home-wrote to Louisa that I relied on her affection that she would not desert me; but had scarcely dispatched my letter, before one was delivered from her. There it is, read it yourself-I cannot trust myself with it." Saying this, he pulled some papers from his pocket, handed the one in question to me, and then relapsedinto a silent fit of melancholy. The letter was couched in these terms :

"" SIR,

• Is it possible that you, whom I have regarded as deserving of the love which I have cast away upon you, should have imposed upon my

affection under a fictitious namehave been branded as a forger, declared unworthy the society of gentlemen, and be now suspected as a common swindler? Though my confidence has, indeed, been miserably deceived, my family shall never be disgraced by me; and I, therefore, here declare all connexion ended between yourself and your once affectionate

LOUISA.”

The inferences which I drew from this epistle I will presently mention. They were somewhat different from those of the unfortunate object of it. When he perceived that I had read the letter, he resumed.

"Scarcely knowing how I acted, I returned to their lodgings-they were denied to me. I determined to watch the house. I did so till evening, when the patrol compelled me to leave the spot. I passed the night in a keen fever of agitation; and the next morning I again called at the house, but was informed that they had gone away without leaving a direction as to their future abode. I was distracted, and remained at home some hours, completely stupified at this violent breaking up of my hopes; and perhaps had not recovered from my temporary lunacy when I hurried to the bank, converted all my stock into cash, and, leaving my house and its contents to their fate, ascended the first stage-coach which crossed my • To have no name, since names give such offence.'

"The coach stopped about thirty miles from this place, to which I pursued my way on foot, regardless of whither my random steps conducted me, till sheer fatigue compelled me to desist. I am not arrived here eighteen hours before the want of a name involves me again in trouble. My indifference made me act as I did; but you know the rest."

Here he concluded his narrative. I could not but admire the singularities of his adventures, though easily perceiving, as I doubt not my readers have perceived, that his own sensitiveness had a considerable share in his afflictions. I hinted to him my opinion that Louisa's letter did not contain a real portraiture of her feelings, and, moreover, that it was a forced one. My reason for this supposition was founded on the curious style in which it was indited; for I considered it impossible that any woman, possessed of those burning sentiments of love which she entertained, should write freely without betraying some lingerings of affection. countenance brightened for a moment at the idea. He then shook his head mournfully, and remarked, "How. ever that may be, she is now beyond my reach. Her heart will be broken, and I care not to survive. I will write to Edmund, and implore his calm consideration. I will meet him if I can; and then-if the worst befalls-the universe may collapse and crush me without extracting a groan." His mind was wrought up, even in its appearance of quiet, to a pitch of almost ungovernable excitement.

His

I

proffered my services to him. He replied, "When I came here, it was with the intention of holding myself at variance with all to doubt every one and trust none, so that what share of tranquillity time might bestow might be entirely at my own command-to have associated only as it were at a distance; but your generosity has defeated the execution of this design, and obliges me to believe that you are sincere in your offers of personal exertions in elucidating the matter; and, though dubious of your success,

me for saying that I have no anxiety on the subject. The keenest agony that fate can inflict I have suffered; and, as it has deadened me to all sense of pleasure, so it has prepared me against any farther pain, by making me insensible to either." He then added that he should go abroad again; but promised, at my earnest desire, to inform me of his movements.

A day or two subsequently, Mr Campbell, if so I may call him, took advantage of a Dutch lugger, which had been driven into the bay, and nearly stranded by stress of weather, to engage a passage with the captain to Rotterdam. We applied to arrange with Mr W., the magistrate, who had written to the London officers as he had threatened, and received for answer that the description corresponded to that of a person who had been in their hands, but that they had no further business with him. My deposit was forthwith reconsigned to me, the justice congratulating himself upon his discernment; andhaving seen this high-minded but singularly unfortunate individual depart, I prepared for my own return, with the full determination to use the most strenuous exertions to clear up, and if possible dispel, the mystery which hung over him.

The very next morning, as I was sitting in Mr B.'s parlour, duly accoutred for the journey, and awaiting only the conveyance that was to take me part of the distance, a post-chaise drove rapidly to the door, and two ladies descended from it, both young and handsome, but an ashy paleness overspread the beautiful features of one of them, which denoted very considerable mental exhaustion. She was conducted by her companion and Mrs B. into the parlour, in an almost insensible condition-I, of course, not being slack in any assistance I could afford. When she was restored a little, the two ladies communed awhile between themselves, and then the other, addressing the landlord, asked if a stranger named Campbell had been at his inn. Mr B. made the only reply that he could make, that a person who refused to give his name, and was angry at being urged on the point, had certainly been there; but he dared say that gentleman (meaning