Part 30 (1/2)

”If you recollect, sir, he was bound to an apothecary of the name of Cophagus, in consequence of some money which was left with him as an infant, enclosed in a letter, in which it was said that he would be reclaimed if circ.u.mstances permitted.”

”I recollect it perfectly well--it is now about six years back. I think there was some inquiry, was there not, Mr G--?”

”I think that there was, about a year and a half ago; but we will send for the secretary, and refer to the minutes.”

My heart beat quick, and the perspiration bedewed my forehead, when I heard this intelligence. At last, my emotion was so great, that I felt faint. ”You are ill, sir,” said one of the gentlemen; ”quick--a gla.s.s of water.”

The attendant brought a gla.s.s of water, which I drank, and recovered myself. ”You appear to be much interested in this young man's welfare.”

”I am, sir,” replied I; ”no one can be more so.”

The secretary now made his appearance with the register, and after turning over the leaves, read as follows: ”August the 16th,--a gentleman came to inquire after an infant left here, of the name of j.a.phet, with whom money had been deposited--j.a.phet, christened by order of the governors, j.a.phet Newland--referred to the shop of Mr Cophagus, Smithfield Market. He returned the next day, saying that Mr Cophagus had retired from business--that the parties in the shop knew nothing for certain, but believed that the said j.a.phet Newland had been transported for life for forgery, about a year before.”

”Good heavens! what an infamous a.s.sertion!” exclaimed I, clasping my hands.

”On reference back to the calendar, we observed that one J. Newland was transported for such an offence. Query?”

”It must have been some other person; but this has arisen from the vindictive feeling of those two scoundrels who served under Pleggit,”

cried I.

”How can you possibly tell, sir?” mildly observed one of the governors.

”How can I tell, sir!” replied I, starting from my chair. ”Why, I am _j.a.phet Newland_ myself, sir.”

”You, sir,” replied the governor, surveying my fas.h.i.+onable exterior, my chains, and bijouterie.

”Yes, sir, I am the j.a.phet Newland brought up in the asylum, and who was apprenticed to Mr Cophagus.”

”Probably, then, sir,” replied the president, ”you are the Mr Newland whose name appears at all the fas.h.i.+onable parties in high life?”

”I believe that I am the same person, sir.”

”I wish you joy upon your success in the world, sir. It would not appear that it can be very important to you to discover your parents.”

”Sir,” replied I, ”you have never known what it is to feel the want of parents and friends. Fortunate as you may consider me to be--and I acknowledge I have every reason to be grateful for my unexpected rise in life--I would, at this moment, give up all that I am worth, resume my Foundling dress, and be turned out a beggar, if I could but discover the authors of my existence.”--I then bowed low to the governors, and quitted the room.

PART TWO, CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

MISCHIEF BREWING--TIMOTHY AND I SET OUR WITS TO WORK, AND HE RESUMES HIS OLD PROFESSION OF A GIPSY.

I hastened home with feelings too painful to be described. I had a soreness at my heart, an oppression on my spirits, which weighed me down. I had but one wish--that I was dead. I had already imparted to Harcourt the history of my life; and when I came in, I threw myself upon the sofa in despair, and relieved my agonised heart with a flood of tears. As soon as I could compose myself, I stated what had occurred.

”My dear Newland, although it has been an unfortunate occurrence in itself, I do not see that you have so much cause to grieve, for you have this satisfaction, that it appears there has been a wish to reclaim you.”

”Yes,” replied I, ”I grant that; but have they not been told, and have they not believed, that I have been ignominiously punished for a capital crime? Will they ever seek me more?”

”Probably not; you must now seek them. What I should recommend is, that you repair to-morrow to the apothecary's shop, and interrogate relative to the person who called to make inquiries after you. If you will allow me, I will go with you.”

”And be insulted by those malignant scoundrels?”