Aftertwenty-fourhoursofhighdelirium，thephysicianssucceededinsubduingtheworstsymptoms；buttheattacktookthecharacterofabiliousfever，andthepatient'srecoverywasthoughtverydoubtfulfromthefirst。PoorJanesatlistlesslyinthesick-room，lookingonandweeping，unheededbyherhusband，whowouldallownoonebuthismothertocomenearhim，notevenhiswifeorhissisters；hewouldnot，indeed，permithismothertoleavehissightforamoment，hiseyesfollowingeverymovementofher'swiththefeverishrestlessnessofdisease，andthehelplessdependenceofachild。Janemournedandwept；
Adelinehadatleastthemeritofactivity，andmadeherselfusefulasanassistantnurse，inpreparingwhateverwasneededbyherbrother。Thesetwoyoungwomen，whohadbeensooftentogetherinbrilliantscenesofgaiety，werenow，forthefirsttime，unitedunderaroofofsorrowandsuffering。
“Thatlovelyyoungcreatureisaperfectpictureofhelplessgrief！”thoughtoneofthephysicians，ashelookedatJane。
Foraweek，TallmanTaylorcontinuedinthesamestate。
Occasionally，ashetalkedwiththewildincoherencyofdelirium，heutteredsentencespainfultohear，astheyrecalleddeedsoffollyandvice；wordspassedhislipswhichweredistressingtoallpresent，butwhichsunkdeepintotheheartofthesickman'smother。Atlengthhefellintoastupor，andafterlingeringforadayortwointhatstate，heexpired，withouthavingfullyrecoveredhisconsciousnessforamoment。Thehandsome，reckless，dashingsonoftherichmerchantlayonhisbier；acareerofselfishenjoymentandguiltyfollywassuddenlyclosedbythegrave。
MissAgnes'sheartsunkwithinherasshestood，silent，besidethecoffinofJane'shusband，rememberinghowlatelyshehadseentheyoungman，fulloflifeandvigour，thoughtlesslydevotingthebestenergiesofbodyandsoultoculpableself-indulgence。
Itismelancholyindeed，torecordsuchaclosetosuchalife；
andyetitisaneventrepeatedinthegayworldwitheveryyearthatpasses。ItistobefearedtherewerecompanionsofTallmanTaylor's，pursuingthesamecourseofwickedfolly，whichhadbeensosuddenlyinterruptedbeforetheireyes，whoyetnevergaveoneseriousthoughttothesubject：iftheypaused，itwasonlyforamoment，whiletheyfollowedtheirfriendtothegrave；
fromthencehurryingagaintothesameungrateful，recklessabuseoflife，anditshighestblessings。
Janewasdoublyafflictedatthismoment；herbabysickenedsoonafteritsreturntotown，anddiedonlyafewdaysafterherhusband；theyoungfatherandhisinfantboywerelaidinthesamegrave。
Janeherselfwasillforatime，andwhenshepartiallyrecovered，wasveryanxioustoaccompanyMissAgnesandElinortoWyllys-Roof——aspotwhereshehadpassedsomanypeacefulhours，thatshelongedagaintoseekshelterthere。Shehadlovedherhusband，asfarasitwasinhernaturetolove；butherattachmentswereneververystrongorverytender，andTallmanTaylor'sneglectandunkindnessduringthepastyear，hadinsomemeasurechilledherfirstfeelingsforhim。Shenow，however，lookeduponherselfasthemostafflictedofhumanbeings；thedeathofherbabyhadindeedtouchedthekeenestchordinherbosom——sheweptoveritbitterly。
Adelinethoughtmoreseriouslyatthetimeofherbrother'sdeaththanshehadeverdonebefore：andevenEmmaTaylor'sspiritsweresoberedforamoment。Mr。Taylor，thefather，nodoubtfeltthelossofhiseldestson，thoughfarlessthanmanyparentswouldhavedone；hewasnotsomuchoverwhelmedbygrief，butwhathecouldorderaveryhandsomefuneral，andprojectanexpensivemarblemonument——aFASHIONABLETOMB-STONEofItalianmarble。Hewassoonabletoresumeallhisusualpursuits，andeventhetenorofhisthoughtsseemedlittlechanged，forhismindwasasmuchoccupiedasusualwithWall-Streetaffairs，carryingoutoldplans，orlayingnewschemesofprofit。Hehadnowbeenarichmanforseveralyears，yethewasinfactlesshappythanwhenhebeganhiscareer，andhadeverythingtolookforwardto。Stillhecontinuedthepursuitsofbusiness，forwithouttheexcitingfearsandhopesoflossandgain，lifewouldhaveappearedamonotonousscenetohim；leisurecouldonlyproveaburthen，foritwouldbemerelyidleness，sincehehadnotastestomakeiteitherpleasantoruseful。Hisschemesoflatehadnotbeensobrilliantlysuccessfulasatthecommencementofhiscourseofspeculation；fortuneseemedcoquettingwithheroldfavourite；hehadrecentlymadeseveralinvestmentswhichhadprovedbutindifferentintheirresults。Notthathehadmetwithseriouslosses；onthecontrary，hewasstillagaineratthegameofspeculation；buttheamountwasverytrifling。Hehadrapidlyadvancedtoacertaindistanceontheroadtowealth，butitnowseemedasifhecouldnotpassthatpoint；thebrilliantdreamsinwhichhehadindulgedwereonlyhalfrealized。Thereseemednogoodwayofaccountingforthispauseinhiscareer，butsuchwasthefact；hewasjustasshrewdandcalculating，justasenterprisingnowashehadbeentenyearsbefore，butcertainlyhewasnotsosuccessful。
Oncommencinganexaminationofhisson'saffairs，hefoundthatTallmanTaylor'sextravaganceandfollyhadlefthiswidowandchildworsethanpenniless，forhehaddiedheavilyindebt。
ReturningoneafternoonfromWall-Street，Mr。Taylortalkedoverthismatterwithhiswife。OfallTallmanTaylor'ssurvivingfriends，hismotherwastheonewhomostdeeplyfelthisdeath；
shewasheart-stricken，andshedbittertearsovertheyoungman。
“Thereisnothingleft，Hester，forthechildorhermother，“
saidthemerchant，sittingdowninarocking-chairinhiswife'sroom。“Allgone；allwasted；fivetimesthecapitalIhadtobeginwith。Ihavejustmadeaninvestment，ofwhichIshallgivetheprofitstoTallman'slady；fourlotsthatwereofferedtomelastweek；ifthatturnsoutwell，Ishallgoon，anditmayperhapsmakeupaprettypropertyforthechild，intime。“
“Oh，husband，don'ttalktomeaboutsuchthingsnow；Ican'tthinkofanythingbutmypoorboy'sdeath！”
“Itwasanunexpectedcalamity，Hester，“saidthefather，withonenaturallookofsorrow；“butwecannotalwaysescapetroubleinthisworld。“
“Ifeelasifwehadnotdoneourdutybyhim！”saidthepoormother。
“Whynot？-hewasveryhandsomelysetupinbusiness，“
remonstratedMt。Taylor。
“Iwasnotthinkingofmoney，“repliedhiswife，shakingherhead。“Butitseemsasifweonlytookhimawayfrommybrother's，inthecountry，justtothrowhiminthewayoftemptationashewasgrowingup，andlethimrunwild，anddoeverythinghetookafancyto。“
“Wedidnomorethanotherparents，intakinghimhomewithus，togivehimabettereducationthanhecouldhavegotatyourbrother's。“
“Husband，husband！——itisbutapooreducationthatdon'tteachachildtodowhatisright！Ifeelasifwehadnevertaughthimwhatweoughtto。Ididnotknowhehadgotsomanybadwaysuntillately；andnowthatIdoknowit，myheartisbroken！”
“Tallmanwasnotsobadasyoumakehimout。HewasnoworsethanadozenotheryounggentlemenIcouldnameatthisveryminute。“
“Oh；Iwouldgiveeverythingweareworthtobringhimback！——butitistoolate——toolate！”
“Nouseintalkingnow，Hester。“
“Weoughttohavetakenmorepainswithhim。Hedidn'tknowthedangerhewasin，andwedid，orweoughttohaveknownit。
Takingayoungmanofasudden，fromaquiet，minister'sfamilyinthecountry，likemybrother's，andgivinghimallthemoneyhewanted，andturninghimoutintotemptation——Oh，it'sdreadful！”
“Allthepainsintheworld，Hester，won'thelpayoungman，unlesshechooseshimself。WhatcouldIdo，oryoueither？Didn'twesendhimtoschoolandtocollege？——didn'twegivehimanopportunityofbeginninglifewithafineproperty，andmarriedtooneofthehandsomestgirlsinthecountry，daughterofoneofthebestfamilies，too？Whatmorecanyoudoforayoungman？Hemustdotheresthimself；youcan'texpecttokeephimtiedtoyourapron-stringallhislife。“
“Oh，no；buthusband，whilehewasyoungweoughttohavetakenmorepainstoteachhimnottothinksomuchaboutthewaysoftheworld。Thereareotherthingsbesidesgettingmoneyandspendingmoney，todo；itseemstomenowasifmoneyhadonlyhelpedmypoorboytohisruin！”
“Yournotionsaretoogloomy，Mrs。Taylor。Suchcalamitieswillhappen，andweshouldnotletthemweighusdowntoomuch。“
“IfIwastoliveahundredyearslonger，InevercouldfeelasI
didbeforeourson'sdeath。Oh，tothinkwhatabeautiful，innocentchildhewastwentyyearsago，thistime！”
“Youshouldn'tletyourmindrunsomuchonhimthat'sgone。It'sunjusttotheliving。“
Thepoorwomanmadenoanswer，butweptbitterlyforsometime。
“It'smyonlycomfortnow，“shesaid，atlength，“tothinkthatwehavelearnedwisdombywhat'spassed。AslongasIlive，dayandnight，Ishalllabourtoteachouryoungerchildrennottosettheirheartsupontheworld；nottothinksomuchaboutriches。“
“Well，Imustsay，Hester，ifyouthinkallpoorpeoplearesaints，Icalculateyoumakeamistake。“
“Idon'tsaythat，husband；butitseemstomethatwehaveneveryetthoughtenoughofthetemptationsofriches，moreespeciallytoyoungpeople，toyoungmen——aboveall，whenitcomessosuddenasitdidtoourpoorboy。Whatgooddidmoneyeverdohim？——itonlybroughthimintotrouble！”
“BecauseTallmandidn'tmakethemostofhisopportunities，thatisnoreasonwhyanothershouldnot。IfIhadwastedmoneyashedid，beforeIcouldaffordit，Inevershouldhavemadeafortuneeither。Theotherboyswilldobetter，Ireckon；theywilllookmoretobusinessthanhedid，andturnoutrichmenthemselves。“
“Itisn'tthemoney！——itisn'tthemoneyIamthinkingof！”
exclaimedthepoormother，almostindespairatherhusband'sblindnesstoherfeelings。
“Whatisitthenyoutakesomuchtoheart？”
“It'srememberingthatweneverwarnedourpoorchild；weputhiminthewayoftemptation，whereheonlylearnedtothinkeverythingoftheworldanditsways；wedidn'ttakepainsenoughtodoourduty，asparents，byhim！”
“Well，Hester，Imustsayyouareaveryunreasonablelady！”
exclaimedMr。Taylor，whowasgettingimpatientunderhiswife'sobservations。“Onewouldthinkitwasallmyfault；doyoumeantosayitwaswronginmetogrowrich？”
“Iamafraiditwouldhavebeenbetterforus，andforourchildren，ifyouhadn'tmadesomuchmoney，“repliedthewife。
“Thehappiesttimeofourlifewasthefirsttenyearsafterweweremarried，whenwehadenoughtobecomfortable，andwedidn'tcaresomuchaboutshow。Iamsuremoneyhasn'tmademehappy；I
don'tbelieveitcanmakeanybodyhappy！”
Mr。Taylorlistenedinamazement；buthisstraightforward，quietwife，hadbeenforseveralyearsgraduallycomingtotheopinionshehadjustexpressed，andthedeathofhereldestsonhadaffectedherdeeply。Themerchant，findingthathewasnotverygoodatconsolation，soonchangedtheconversation；givingupthehopeoflesseningthemother'sgrief，orofbringinghertowhatheconsideredmorerationalviewsoftheall-importanceofwealth。
AssoonasJanefeltequaltotheexertion，sheaccompaniedMissAgnesandElinortoWyllys-Roof。Duringthethreeyearsofhermarriedlifeshehadneverbeenthere，havingpassedmostofthetimeeitheratCharlestonorNewOrleans。Manychangeshadoccurredinthatshortperiod；changesofoutwardcircumstances，andofsecretfeeling。HerlastvisittoWyllys-RoofhadtakenplacejustafterherreturnfromFrance，whenshewastacitlyengagedtoyoungTaylor；atamomentwhenshehadbeenmoregay，morebrilliantlyhandsomethanatanyotherperiodofherlife。
Now，shereturnedthere，aweeping，mourningwidow，wretchedlydepressedinspirits，andfeebleinhealth。Shewasstillverylovely，however；theelevatedstyleofherbeautywassuch，thatitappearedfinerundertheshadowofgrief，thaninthesunshineofgaiety；anditisonlybeautyoftheveryhighestorderwhichwillbearthistest。Herdeepmourningdresswasinharmonywithherwholeappearanceandexpression；anditwasnotpossibletoseeheratthismoment，withoutbeingstruckbyherexceedingloveliness。Janewasonlyseenbythefamily，however，andoneortwoveryintimatefriends；sheremainedentirelyintheprivacyofherownroom，whereElinorwasgenerallyatherside，endeavouringtosoothehercousin'sgrief，bythegentlebalmofsympathyandaffection。
CHAPTERXII。{XXXV}
“Dothoustandformyfather，andexaminemeupontheparticularsofmylife。“
“Whatmannerofman，an'tpleaseyourmajesty！”
HenryIV。
{WilliamShakespeare，“1HenryIV“，II。iv。375-376，420-421}
HAZLEHURST'saffairshadnotremainedstationary，inthemeantime；Mrs。StanleyandhimselfwerealreadyatWyllys-Roof，whenMissWyllysandElinorreturnedhome，accompaniedbythewidowedJane。Theladieshadreceivedfrequentintelligenceoftheprogressofhisaffairs，fromMr。Wyllys'sletters；stillthereweremanydetailstobeexplainedwhenthepartywasre-united，asseveralimportantstepshadbeentakenwhiletheywereinNewYork。Mr。Clappwasnolongertheonlycounselemployedbytheclaimant；associatedwiththeLongbridgeattorney，nowappearedthenameofMr。Reed，alawyerofhighlyrespectablestandinginNewYork，abrother-in-lawofJudgeBernard's，andamanofacharacterfarsuperiortothatofMr。Clapp。HewasslightlyacquaintedwithMr。Wyllys，andhadwrittenverycivilletters，statingthatheheldtheproofsadvancedbyhisclient，tobequitedecisiveastohisidentity，andheproposedanamicablemeeting，withthehopethatMr。Stanley'sclaimmightbeacknowledgedwithoutfartherdifficulty。ThatMr。Reedshouldhavetakenthecaseintohishands，astonishedHazlehurstandhisfriends；solongasClappmanagedtheaffair，theyfeltlittledoubtastoitsbeingsacoarseplotofhisown；buttheyhadnowbecomeimpatienttoinquiremorecloselyintothematter。Mrs。
Stanleywasgrowingveryuneasy；Hazlehurstwasanxioustoproceedfartherassoonaspossible；butMr。Wyllyswasstillnearlyassanguineasever。Allpartiesseemedtodesireapersonalinterview；Mr。ReedofferedtoaccompanyhisclienttoWyllys-Roof，towaitonMrs。Stanley；andadayhadbeenappointedforthemeeting，whichwastotakeplaceassoonasHarry'sopponent，whohadbeenabsentfromLongbridge，shouldreturn。Themorningfixedfortheinterview，happenedtobethatsucceedingthearrivaloftheladies；anditwillbeeasilyimaginedthateverymemberofthefamilylookedforwardtothemomentwithmostanxiousinterest。Perhapstheywerenotawarethemselves，howgraduallydoubtshadarisenandincreased，intheirownminds，sincethefirstdisclosuremadebyMr。Clapp。
“Harryandmyselfhavebothseenthismanatlast，Agnes，“saidMr。Wyllystohisdaughter，justaftershehadreturnedhome，whenalonewithElinorandherself。“WheredoyousupposeHarrysawhimyesterday？Atchurch，withMr。Reed。AndthismorningI
caughtaglimpseofhim，standingonthestepsofClapp'soffice。“
“Indeed！”exclaimedMissWyllys，who，aswellasElinor，waslisteningeagerly。Howdidhelook？——whatkindofmandidheseem？”
“Helookedlikeasailor。Ionlysawhimforamoment，however；
forhewascomingoutoftheoffice，andwalkeddownthestreet，inanoppositedirectionfromme。ImustconfessthathisfacehadsomethingofaStanleylook。“
“Isitpossible！”
“Yes；sofarasIcouldseehim，hestruckmeaslookingliketheStanleys；but，inanotherimportantpoint，hedoesnotresemblethematall。Yourememberthepeculiargaitofthefamily？——theyallhadit，moreorless；anybodywhoknewthemwellmusthaveremarkeditoften——butthismanhadnothingofthekind；hewalkedlikeasailor。“
“Iknowwhatyoumean；itwasapeculiarmotioninwalking，wellknowntoalltheirfriends——along，slowstep。“
“Precisely；thismanhadnothingofit，whatever——hehadthesailorswing，forIwatchedhismovementsexpressly。WilliamStanley，asaboy，walkedjustlikehisfather；forIhaveoftenpointeditouttoMr。Stanley，myself。“
“Thatmastbeanimportantpoint，Ishouldsuppose；andyet，grandpapa，youthinkhelookslikemyuncleStanley？”saidElinor。
“SoIshouldsay，fromtheglimpseIhadofhim。“
“WhatdidHarrythinkofhim？”askedMissWyllys。
“Hazlehurstdidnotseehisface，forhesatbeforehiminchurch。Hesaid，thatifhehadnotbeentoldwhoitwas，heshouldhavepronouncedhim，fromhisgeneralappearanceandmanner，acommon-looking，sea-faringman，whowasnotaccustomedtotheserviceoftheChurch；forhedidnotseemtounderstandwhenheshouldkneel，andwhenheshouldrise。“
“ButWilliamStanleyoughttohaveknownitperfectly，“observedElinor；“forhemusthavegonetochurchconstantly，withhisfamily，asachild，untilhewenttosea，andcouldscarcelyhaveforgottentheserviceentirely，Ishouldthink。“
“Certainly，mydear；thatisanotherpointwhichwehavenotedinourfavour。Ontheotherhand，however，Ihavejustbeencarefullycomparingthehand-writingofClapp'sclient，withthatofWilliamStanley，andthereisaveryremarkableresemblancebetweenthem。Asfarasthehand-writinggoes，Imustconfess，thatIshouldhaveadmitteditatonce，asidentical，underordinarycircumstances。“
“Andthepersonallikeness，too，struckyou，itseems，“addedMissAgnes。
“Itdid；sofar，atleast，asIcouldjudgefromseeinghimonlyamoment，andwithhishaton。To-morrowweshallbeable，I
trust，tomakeupourmindsmoredecidedlyonotherimportantpoints。“
“Itisverysingularthatheshouldnotbeafraidofaninterview！”exclaimedElinor。
“Well，Idon'tknowthat，mychild；havingonceadvancedthisclaim，hemustbepreparedforexamination，youknow，underanycircumstances。Itisaltogetherasingularcase，however，whetherhebetheimpostorwethinkhim，ortheindividualheclaimstobe。Truthiscertainlymorestrangethanfictionsometimes。WouldyouliketoseethestatementMr。Reedsentus，whenweappliedforsomeaccountofhisclient'spastmovements？”
MissAgnesandElinorwerebothanxioustoseeit。
“Hereitis——shortyousee——inClapp'shand-writing，butsignedbyhimself。Thereisnothinginitthatmaynotpossiblybetrue；
butIfancythatweshallbeabletopicksomeholesinit，by-and-bye。“
“Didhemakenodifficultyaboutsendingittoyou？”askedMissAgnes。
“No，heseemedtogiveitreadily；Mr。Reedsentittousadayortwosince。“
MissWyllysreceivedtheletterfromherfather，invitingElinortoreaditoverhershoulder，atthesamemoment。Itwasendorsed，inClapp'shand，“STATEMENTOFMR。STANLEY，PREPAREDAT
THEREQUESTOFHISFATHER'SEXECUTOR，“andranasfollows：
“July1st，183。
“Ilefthome，aseverybodyknows，becauseIwouldhavemyownwayineverything。Itwasagainstmybestintereststobesure，butboysdon'tthinkatsuchtimes，aboutanythingbuthavingtheirownwill。Isupposethateverypersonconnectedwithmydeceasedfatherknows，thatmyfirstvoyagewasmadetoRussia，intheyear18——，intheshipDorothyBeck，JonasThomson，Master。Iwasonlyfourteenyearsoldatthetime。Myfatherhadtakentoheartmygoingoff，andwhenIcamebackfromRussiahewasonthelook-out，wrotetomeandsentmemoney，andassoonasheheardwewereinporthecameafterme。Well，Iwentbackwiththeoldgentleman；butwehadaquarrelontheroad，andIputaboutagainandwenttoNewBedford，whereIshippedinawhaler。Wewereoutonlyeighteenmonths，andbroughtinafullcargo。ThistimeIwenthomeofmyownaccord，andIstaidagreatpartofonesummer。Ididthinksomeofquittingtheseas；butafterawhilethingsdidn'tworkwell，andoneofmyoldshipmatescomingupintothecountrytoseeme，Iwentoffwithhim。ThistimeI
shippedintheThomasJefferson，forChina。Thiswasintheyear1814，duringthelastwar，whenIwasabouteighteen。Mostpeople，whoknowanythingaboutWilliamStanley，thinkthatwasthelastofhim，thatheneversetfootonAmericangroundagain；
buttheyaremistaken，ashehimselfwilltakethepainstoshow。
SofarIhavetoldnothingbutwhateverybodyknows，butnowIamgoingtogiveashortaccountofwhathashappened，sincemyfriendsheardfromme。Well；theJeffersonsailed，onhervoyagetoChina，inOctober；shewaswreckedonthecoastofAfricainDecember，anditwasreportedthatallhandswerelost：sotheywere，allbutone，andthatonewasWilliamStanley。IwaspickedupbyaDutchman，thebarqueWilliam，boundtoBatavia。IkeptwiththeDutchmanforawhile，untilhewentbacktoHolland。
AfterIhadcutadriftfromhim，IfellinwithsomeAmericans，andgotsomeoldpapers；inoneofthemIsawmyfather'ssecondmarriage。Iknewthenameoftheladyhehadmarried，butIhadneverspokentoher。Theverynextday，oneofthemenIwaswith，whocamefromthesamepartofthecountry，toldmeofmyfather'sdeath，andsaiditwasthecommontalkabouttheneighbourhood，thatIwasdisinherited。Thismademeveryangry；
thoughIwasn'tmuchsurprised，afterwhathadpassed。Iwaslookingoutforahomeward-boundAmerican，togoback，andseehowmattersstood，whenonenightthatIwasdrunk，IwascarriedoffbyanEnglishofficer，whomadeoutIwasarunaway。ForfiveyearsIwaskeptindifferentEnglishmen-of-war，intheEastIndies；attheendofthattimeIwasputonboardtheCeres，sloopofwar，andImadeouttodesertfromheratlast，andgotonboardanAmerican。Ithencamehome；andhere，thefirstmanthatImetonshorewasBillings，thechapwhofirstpersuadedmetogotosea：heknewallaboutmyfather'sfamily，andtoldmeitwastrueIwascutoffwithoutacent，andthatHarryHazlehursthadbeenadoptedbymyfather。Thismademesomad，thatIwentstraighttoNewBedford，andshippedintheSallyAndrews，forawhalingvoyage。Justbeforeweweretohavecomehome，Iexchangedintoanotherwhaler，assecond-mate，forayearlonger。ThenIsailedinaHavreliner，asforemasthand，forawhile。Ifoundoutaboutthistime，thattheexecutorsofmyfather'sestatehadbeenadvertisingformeshortlyafterhisdeath，whileIwasintheEastIndies；andIwenttoalawyerinBaltimore，whereIhappenedtobe，andconsultedhimaboutclaimingtheproperty；buthewouldn'tbelieveawordIsaid，becauseIwashalf-drunkatthetime，andtoldmethatIshouldgetintroubleifIdidn'tkeepmymouthshut。Well，Icruizedaboutforawhilelonger，whenatlastIwenttoLongbridge，withsomeshipmates。Ihadbeenthereoftenbefore，asalad，andI
hadsomenotionofhavingatalkwithMr。Wyllys，myfather'sexecutor；Iwenttohishouseoneday，butIdidn'tseehim。Oneofmyshipmateswhoknewsomethingofmystory，andhadbeenaclientofMr。Clapp's，advisedmetoconsulthim。Iwenttohisoffice，buthesentmeoffliketheBaltimorelawyer，becausebethoughtIwasdrunk。ThreeyearsafterthatIgotbacktoLongbridgeagain，withashipmate；butitdidmenogood，forI
gotdrinking，andhadafitofthehorrors。Thatfitsoberedme，though，intheend；itwastheworstIhadeverhad；Ishouldhavehangedmyself，andtherewouldhavebeenanendofWilliamStanleyandhishardrubs，ifithadn'tbeenforthedoctor——I
neverknewhisname，butMr。ClappsaysitwasDr。VanHorne。
Afterthisbadfit，theycoaxedmeintoshippinginatemperancewhaler。WhileIwasinthePacific，inthisship，nighthreeyears，andoutofthereachofdrink，IhadtimetothinkwhatafoolIhadbeenallmylife，forwastingmyopportunities。I
thoughttheremustbesomewayofgettingbackmyfather'sproperty；Mr。Clapphadsaid，thatifIwasreallythemanI
pretendedtobe，Imusthavesomepaperstomakeitout；butifI
hadn'tanypapers，hecouldn'thelpme，evenifIwasWilliamStanleyfortytimesover。Itistrue，Icouldn'tshowhimanydocumentsthattime，forIdidn'thavethemwithmeatLongbridge；butImadeupmymind，whileIwasoutonmylastvoyage，thatassoonasIgothome，Iwouldgiveupdrinking，getmypaperstogether，andsetaboutdoingmybesttogetbackmyfather'sproperty。WecamehomelastFebruary；Iwenttowork，I
keptsober，gotmythingstogether，putmoneybyforalawyer'sfee，andthenwentstraighttoLongbridgeagain。IwenttoMr。
Clapp'soffice，andfirstIhandedhimthemoney，andthenIgavehimmypapers。Iwenttohim，becausehehadtreatedmebetterthananyotherlawyer，andtoldmeifIwasWilliamStanley，andcouldproveit，hecouldhelpmebetterthananyotherman，forheknewallaboutmyfather'swill。Well，hehadn'texpectedevertoseemeagain；butheheardmystoryalloutthistime，readthedocuments，andatlastbelievedme，andundertookthecase。
Therestisknowntotheexecutorsandlegateebythistime；anditistobehoped，thatafterenjoyingmyfather'sestatefornightwentyyears，theywillnowmakeitovertohisson。
“DictatedtoW。C。Clapp，bytheundersigned，[Signed，]“WILLIAMSTANLEY。“
{“Dutchman“=ashiptradingbetweentheNetherlandsandtheNetherlandsEastIndiesnowIndonesia，ofwhichBatavianowJakartawasthecapital}
“Arethesefacts，sofarastheyareknowntoyou，alltrue？”
askedMissAgnes，asshefinishedthepaper。“Imeantheearlierpartofthestatement，whichreferstoWilliamStanley'smovementsbeforehesailedintheJefferson？”
“Yes；thatpartofthestoryiscorrect，sofarasitgoes。“
“Howextraordinary！”exclaimedElinor。
“WhatdoesHarrythinkofthispaper？”
“BothheandMrs。StanleyaremoredisposedtolistentothestorythanIam；however，wearetomeetthisindividualto-morrow，andshallbeablethen，Ihope，toseeourwaymoreclearly。“
“Doyoufindanyglaringinconsistencyinthelatterpartoftheaccount？”continuedMissAgnes。
“Nothingimpossible，certainly；buttheimprobabilityofWilliamStanley'sneverapplyingtohisfather'sexecutors，untilheappeared，solateintheday，asMr。Clapp'sclient，isstilljustasstrikingaseverinmyeyes。Mr。Reedaccountsforit，bythesingularcharacterofthemanhimself，andthestrange，loosenotionssailorsgetonmostsubjects；butthatisfarfromsatisfyingmymind。“
“Mrs。Stanleyisevidentlymuchperplexed，“observedMissWyllys；
“shealwaysfeelsanytroubleacutely，andthisstartlingapplicationisenoughtocauseherthemostseriousanxiety，undereverypointofview。“
“Certainly；Iamgladyouhavecomehome，onheraccount——sheisbecomingpainfullyanxious。Itisaveryseriousmatter，too，forHazlehurst；heconfessedtomeyesterday，thathehadsomemisgivings。“
“Whatachangeitwouldmakeinallhisviewsandprospectsforlife！”exclaimedMissWyllys。
“Achange，indeed，whichhewouldfeelateveryturn。Butwearenotyetsobadlyoffasthat。Weshallgivethisindividualathorough，searchingexamination，anditismyfirmopinionthathewillnotbearit。Inthemeantimewehaveagentsatwork，endeavouringtotracethisman'spastcareer；andverypossiblywemaysoondiscoverinthatway，someinconsistencyinhisstory。“
“Theinterviewisforto-morrow，yousay，“addedMissAgnes。
“To-morrowmorning。ItistobeconsideredasavisittoMrs。
Stanley；Mr。ReedandClappwillcomewithhim。Hehasengagedtobringaportionofhispapers，andtoansweranyquestionsofours，thatwouldnotinjurehimincaseofanultimatetrialbylaw：aftertheinterview，wearetodeclarewithinagiventimewhetherweacknowledgetheclaim，orwhetherwearepreparedtodisputeit。“
“Ifyoudocarryitintoacourtofjustice，whenwillthetrialtakeplace？”askedMissAgnes。
“Probablyintheautumn；theyhavealreadygivennotice，thattheywillbringitonassoonaspossible，ifwerejecttheirdemand。“
“Harrywillnotgoabroadthen，withMr。Henley。“
“No；notsosoonatleastasheintended。Sogoestheworld；
Hazlehurst'scareersuddenlystopped，byanobstacleweneverdreamedof，atthislateday。ThatpooryoungTaylorinhisgrave，too！HowisJane？”
“Veryfeeble，andmuchdepressed。“
“Poorgirl——aheavyblowtoher——thatwasasweetbabythatshelost。Iamgladtoseetheotherchildlookswell。Jane'saffairs，too，areinabadway，theytellme。“
MissAgnesshookherhead，andherfathersoonafterlefther。
Hazlehurstwas，ofcourse，muchoccupied，havingmanythingstoattendto，connectedindifferentwayswiththeimportantquestionunderconsideration：therewereoldpaperstobeexamined，letterstobewritten，letterstoberead，andthefamilyseldomsawhim，exceptathismeals。Itwasevident，however，thatallMr。Wyllys'sdispleasureagainsthim，wasfastdisappearingundertheinfluenceofthestronginterestnowarousedinhisfavour。MissAgneshadalsoresumedentirely，herformermannertowardshim。Elinorwasquiteunembarrassed，andfranklyexpressedherinterestinhisaffairs；infact，allpartiesappearedsomuchengrossedbythisimportanttopic，thatnooneseemedtohavetimetoremembertheunpleasantcircumstancesofHarry'slastvisittoWyllys-Roof。Tojudgefromhismanner，andsomethinginhisexpression，ifanyoneoccasionallythoughtofthepast，itwasHazlehursthimself；heseemedgratefulforhispresentkindreception，andconsciousthathehadforfeitedallclaimtothefriendlyplaceinwhichhehadbeenreinstated。Onceortwice，hebetrayedmomentaryfeelingandembarrassment，assomeallusiontopastsceneswasaccidentallymadebyothers，inthecourseofconversation。
Thefamilyweresittingtogetheraftertea，enjoyingthesummereveningtwilight，afteralongbusinessconsultationbetweenthegentlemen。Harryseemedstillengrossedbyhisownmeditations；
whatwastheirparticularnatureatthatmoment，wecannotsay；
buthecertainlyhadenoughtothinkofinvariousways。Harry'sfriendslefthiminundividedpossessionofthecorner，wherehewassitting，alone；andMr。Wyllys，afteraquiet，generalconversationwiththeladies，askedElinorforasong。Athergrandfather'srequest，shesangapleasing，newair，shehadjustreceived，andhisoldfavourite，RobinAdair。Fortunately，itdidnotoccurtoher，thatthelasttimeshehadsungthatsongatWyllys-Roof，withHazlehurstaspartofheraudience，wastheeveningbeforetheirrupture；sheappearedtohaveforgottenthefact，fornonervousfeelingaffectedhervoice，thoughhertoneswerelowerthanusual，asshedidnotwishtodisturbJane，whowasinadistantpartofthehouse。AletterfromMr。Reedwasbroughtin，anddrewHarryintothecircleagain；itwasconnectedwiththenextday'sinterview，andafterreadingit，Mr。WyllysmadesomeremarksuponthedifferenceinthetoneandmannerofthecommunicationstheyhadreceivedfromClapp，andfromMr。Reed；thelastwritinglikeagentleman，thefirstlikeapettifogger。
“Iamglad，atleast，thatyouwillhaveagentlemantodealwith，“observedElinor。
“Why，yes，Nelly；itisalwaysadvisabletosecureagentlemanforfriendorfoe，heisthebestsubstituteforagoodmanthatonecanfind。ButitismyopinionthatMr。Reedwillnotpersevereinthiscase；IthinkhewillsoonbedisgustedwithClapp，ashisbrothercounsel。To-morrow，however，weshallhaveanearerlookatallouropponents，andItrustthatweshallbeabletomakeupourownmindsatleast，beyondadoubt。“
“Itrustso！”repliedMrs。Stanley，whoseanxietyhadincreasedpainfully。
“IwishEllsworthwerehere！”exclaimedHarry；“ashisfeelingsarelessinterestedthanthoseofeitherofus，hewouldseethingsinamoreimpartiallight。“
“Iwishhewerehere，withallmyheart，“repliedMr。Wyllys。“I
amalittleafraidofbothyou，myexcellentfriend，andyou，Hazlehurst；theideaofnotdoingjusticetotheshadowofWilliamStanley，willmakeyoutoomercifultowardsthisclaimant，Ifear。Iseeplainly，Harry，thatyouhavesomescruples，andIcautionyouagainstgivingwaytoomuchtothem。“
Hazlehurstsmiled，andpassedhishandoverhisforehead。“Thankyou，sir，foryouradvice，“hereplied。“Ishalltrytojudgethefactscalmly；althoughtheidea，thatonemaypossiblybeanusurper，isbynomeanspleasant；itisratherworseeven，thanthatofgivinguptoanimpostor。“
“ItisathousandpitiesthatEllsworthcannotbehereuntilnextweek；hewouldhavewarnedyou，asIdo，nottolosesightoftheimpostor。“
“Itisquiteimpossiblethatheshouldcome，untilnextMonday；I
knewhisbusinesswouldnotadmitofit，whenIwrotetohimatyourrequest；buthewillbehereattheveryearliestmomentthathecan。“
Infacteveryonepresent，whiletheyregrettedMr。Ellsworth'sabsence，feltthoroughlyconvincedthattherewerevariousreasons，whichgavehimthebestinclinationintheworldtobeatWyllys-Roofassoonaspossible。
“IhopeMrs。Creightonwillcomewithhimtoo；shewillenlivenusalittle，inthemidstofourlegalmatters，“saidMr。Wyllys。
“EllsworthmentionsMrs。Creighton'scomingparticularly；shesendsamessagetotheladies，throughhim，whichIhavealreadydelivered，“repliedHazlehurst，ashetookupMr。Reed'sletter，toanswerit。
“Well，Agnes，shallwehaveagameofchess？”saidMr。Wyllys；
andthecirclewasbrokenup，astheyoungerladiesjoinedMrs。
Taylorinherownroom。
Thehouroften，onthefollowingmorning，hadbeenfixedfortheinterviewwiththesailorandhiscounsel。Hazlehurstwaswalkingonthepiazza，asthetimeapproached，andpunctualtothemoment，hesawacarriagedriveuptothehouse；initwereMr。
Reed，Mr。Clapp，andtheirclient。Harrystoppedtoreceivethem；
and，astheymountedthestepsoneaftertheother，hebowedrespectfullytoMr。Reed，slightlytoMr。Clapp，andfixedhiseyesteadilyonthethirdindividual。
“Mr。Stanley，Mr。Hazlehurst，“saidMr。Reed，inaquiet，butdecidedmanner。
Harrybowedlikeagentleman，Mr。Stanleylikeajack-tar。Thefirststeady，inquiringglanceofHazlehurst，wassufficienttoshowhim，thattherivalclaimantwasamanrathershorter，anddecidedlystouterthanhimself，withdarkhairandeyes，andacountenancebynomeansunpleasant，exceptingthatitboreevidenttracesofpasthabitsofintemperance；asfarashisfeatureswent，theycertainlyremindedHarryofMr。Stanley'sportrait。Thesailor'sdresswasthatwhichmighthavebeenwornbyamate，orskipper，onshore；heappearednotintheleastdaunted，onthecontraryhewasquiteself-possessed，withanairofdeterminationabouthimwhichrathertookHarrybysurprise。
AfewindifferentobservationswereexchangedbetweenMr。ReedandHazlehurst，asthepartyenteredthehouse；theyweretakenbyHarryintothedrawing-room，andhethenleftthem，toinformMrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllysoftheirarrival。
Mrs。Stanley，thoughawomanofafirmcharacter，wasveryexcitableinhertemperament，andshedreadedtheinterviewnotalittle；shehadaskedMissWyllystoremainwithherontheoccasion。Mr。Wyllyswassentfor，andwhenhehadjoinedtheladies，andMrs。Stanleyhadcomposedherself，theirthreevisitorswereusheredintoMissWyllys'susualsitting-roombyHazlehurst。HeintroducedMr。ReedtoMrs。StanleyandMissWyllys，namedMr。Clapp，andadded，asthesailorapproached：
“Mr。Reed'sclient，ma'am。“
“Mr。WilliamStanley，“addedMr。Reed，firmly，butrespectfully。
Mrs。Stanleyhadrisenfromherseat，andaftercurtseyingtothelawyers，sheturnedverypale，asthenameofherhusband'ssonwassodeliberatelyapplied，byarespectableman，totheindividualbeforeher。
“IwasjustaskingMr。Stanley，whenMr。Hazlehurstjoinedus，“
observedtheforwardMr。Clapp，“ifherememberedWyllys-Roofatall；buthesayshisrecollectionsofthisplaceareratherconfused。“
“Whenwereyouherelast，sir？”askedMr。Wyllysofthesailor，givinghimasearchinglookatthesametime。
“Aboutfiveyearsago，“wasthecoolreply，rathertoMr。
Wyllys'ssurprise。
“Fiveyearsago！——Ihavenorecollectionoftheoccasion。“
Therestofthepartywerelookingandlistening，withcurious，anxiousinterest。
“Youdon'tseemtohavemuchrecollectionofme，atall，sir，“
saidthesailor，ratherbitterly。
“Doyoumeantosay，thatyouwereinthishousefiveyearsago？”
askedMr。Wyllys。
“Iwashere，butIdidn'tsayIwasinthehouse。“
“Whatbroughtyouhere？”
“Prettymuchthesameerrandthatbringsmenow。“
“Whatpassedontheoccasion？”
“Ican'tsayIremembermuchaboutit，exceptingthatyoudidnotgivemeanover-friendlygreeting。“
“Explainhowithappened，Mr。Stanley，“saidMr。Reed，“Mr。
Wyllysdoesnotunderstandyou。“
“Icertainlycannotunderstandwhatyoumeanmetobelieve。Yousayyouwerehere，anddidnotreceiveaveryfriendlygreeting——howwasitunfriendly？”
“Why，youshowedmetheinsideofyoursmoke-house；which，tomynotion，wasn'tjusttherightberthforthesonofyouroldfriend，andItookthelibertyofkickingoffthehatchesnextmorning，andmakingthebestofmywayoutoftheneighbourhood。“
“Yourememberthedrunkensailor，sir，whowasfoundonenight，severalyearssince，nearthehouse，“interruptedHarry，whohadbeenlisteningattentively，andobservedMr。Wyllys'sairofincredulity。“Ihadhimlockedupinthesmoke-house，youmayrecollect。“
“Andyoumustobserve，Mr。Hazlehurst，thatisafactwhichmightlookuglybeforeajurythatdidnotknowyou，“remarkedMr。
Clapp；inasortofhalf-cunning，half-insinuatingmanner。
“Idonotintheleastdoubttheabilityofmanymen，sir，todistortactionsequallyinnocent。“
“Butyouacknowledgethefact？”
“ThefactthatIlockedupadrunkensailor，Icertainlyacknowledge；andyouwillfindmereadytoacknowledgeanyotherfactequallytrue。“
“Doyoubelievethistobethepersonyoulockedup，Harry？”
askedMr。Wyllys。
“Ithinkitnotimprobablethatitisthesameindividual；butI
didnotseethemandistinctlyatthetime。“
“Iamglad，gentlemen，thatyouarepreparedtoadmittheidentitythusfar——thatisastepgained，“observedMr。Clapp，runninghishandthroughhislocks。
“Permitme，Mr。Clapp，toaskyouaquestionortwo，“saidMr。
Wyllys。“Nowyourecallthatcircumstancetome，Ishouldliketoask，ifwehavenotalsoheardofthisindividualsincetheoccasionyoureferto？”
“Yes，sir；youprobablyhaveheardofhimsince，“repliedMr。
Clapp，baldly。
“Andinconnexionwithyourself，Ithink？”
“Inconnexionwithme，sir。YouwillfindmequiteasreadyasMr。Hazlehursttoadmitfacts，sir，“repliedthelawyer，leaningbackinhischair。
“Whentheyareundeniable，“observedMr。Wyllys，drily。“MayI
inquirewhatwasthenatureofthatconnexion？”askedthegentleman，withoneofhissearchinglooks。
Thelawyerdidnotseemtoquailbeneaththescrutiny。
“Theconnexion，Mr。Wyllys，wasthecommencementofwhathasbeencompletedrecently。Mr。Stanleycametolaybeforemetheclaimswhichhenowmakespublicly。“
“Younevermadetheleastallusiontoanyclaimofthiskindtome，atthattime，“saidMr。Wyllys。
“Ididn'tbelieveitthen；Iamfreetosaysonow，“
“Still，notbelievingtheclaim，itwassingular，Imaysaysuspicious，sir，thatyouneverevenmentionedtheindividualwhomadeit。“
“Why，totellyouthetruth，Mr。Wyllys，Ihadunpleasantthoughtsaboutit；wewereneighboursandoldfriends，andthoughImightmakeupmymindtoundertakethecase，ifIthoughtitclear，Ididpreferthatyoushouldnotknowaboutmyhavinghadanythingtodowithit，aslongasIthoughtitadoubtfulpoint。
Ithinkyoumustseethatwasonlynaturalforayounglawyer，whohadhisfortunetomake，andexpectedemploymentfromyouandyourfriends。Ihavenoobjectionswhatevertospeakingoutnow，tosatisfyyourmind，Mr。Wyllys。“
“IbelieveIunderstandyou，sir，“repliedMr。Wyllys，hiscountenanceexpressingmorecoolcontemptthanhewasawareof。
“Ithink，however，thereareseveralotherpointswhicharenotsoeasilyanswered，“headded，turningtoMr。Reed，asifpreferringtocontinuetheconversationwithhim。“Doyounotthinkitsingular，Mr。Reed，tosaytheleast，thatyourclientshouldhaveallowedsomanyyearstopass，withoutclaimingthepropertyofMr。Stanley，andthen，atthislateday，insteadofapplyingdirectlytotheexecutors，cometoasmalltownlikeLongbridge，toalawyersolittleknownasMr。Clapp，inordertourgeaclaim，soimportanttohimasthiswearenowexamining？”
askedMr。Wyllys，withameaningsmile。
“Weareabletoexplainallthosepointsquitesatisfactorily，I
think，“repliedMr。Reed。
“Iobject，however，“interposedMr。Clapp，“tolayingourcasefullybeforethedefendants，untilweknowwhattheyconcludetodo。Wehavemetherebyagreement，togivethedefendantsanopportunityofsatisfyingtheirownminds——thattheymaysettlethepoint，whethertheywilladmitourclaim，orwhetherwemustgotolawtogetourrights。Itwasagreedthatthemeetingshouldbeonlyacommonfriendlyvisit，suchasMr。Stanleyfeltperfectlywillingtopaytohisstep-mother，andoldfamilyfriends。Wealsoagreed，thatwewouldansweranycommonquestionsthatmighthelptosatisfythedefendants，providedthattheydidnottendtoendangerourfuturesuccess，intheeventofatrial。Ithink，Mr。Reed，thatastheredoesnotseemasyetmuchprobabilitythatthedefendantswillbeeasilyconvinced，itbehoovesustobeonourguard。“
“Iwilltaketheresponsibility，sir，ofansweringotherobservationsofMr。Wyllys's，“repliedMr。Reed。“Astheobjectofthemeetingwasanamicablearrangement，wemaybeabletomakethecasemoreclear，withoutendangeringourowngrounds。
Haveyouanyremarkstomake，madam？”headded，turningtoMrs。
Stanley。
Ithadbeensettledbetweenthefriends，beforethemeeting，thatMr。Wyllysshouldbechiefspokesmanontheoccasion；for，althoughthesailorclaimedthenearerconnexionofstep-sontoMrs。Stanley，yetshehadscarcelyknownherhusband'sson，havingmarriedafterhewenttosea。Harry，itistrue，hadoftenbeenwithyoungStanleyathisfather'shouse，buthewasatthetimetooyoungachildtohavepreservedanydistinctrecollectionofhim。Mr。Wyllyswastheonlyoneofthethreeindividualsmostinterested，whorememberedhisperson，manner，andcharacter，withsufficientminutenesstorelyonhisownmemory。Theparticularsubjectsuponwhichthesailorshouldbequestioned，hadbeenalsoagreeduponbeforehand，byHarryandhisfriends。InreplytoMr。Reed'sinquiry，Mrs。Stanleyaskedtoseethepaperswhichhadbeenbroughtfortheirinvestigation。
Mr。Clappcompliedwiththerequest，bydrawingabundleofpapersfromhispocket。HefirsthandedMrs。Stanleyadocument，provingthatWilliamStanleyhadmadetwovoyagesasseaman，inaHavrepacket，intheyear1824，ornearlytenyearssincethewreckoftheJefferson。Thecaptainofthisvesselwaswellknown，andstillcommandedapacketinthesameline；veryprobablyhismateswerealsoliving，andcouldbecalledupontoascertaintheauthenticityofthispaper。Nomaninhissenseswouldhaveforgedadocumentwhichcouldbesoeasilydisproved，andbothMr。WyllysandHazlehurstwereevidentlyperplexedbyit，whileMrs。Stanleyshowedanincreaseofnervousagitation。
Mr。WyllysatlengthreturnedthispapertoMr。Reed，confessingthatitlookedmorefavourablythananythingtheyhadyetreceived。Twoletterswerethenshown，directedtoWilliamStanley，andbearingdifferentdates；onewassignedbythenameofDavidBillings，amanwhohadbeenthechiefinstrumentinfirstdrawingWilliamStanleyintobadhabits，andhadatlengthenticedhimtoleavehomeandgotosea；itwasdatednineteenyearsback。Asnoonepresentknewthehand-writingofBillings，andashehaddiedsomeyearssince，thislettermight，ormightnot，havebeengenuine。ThenameoftheothersignaturewasentirelyunknowntoHarryandhisfriends；thissecondletterboreadateonlysevenyearsprevioustotheinterview，andwasaddressedtoWilliamStanley，atasailor'sboarding-houseinBaltimore。Itwasshort，andthecontentswereunimportant；
chieflyreferringtoadebtoffifteendollars，andpurportingtobewrittenbyashipmatenamedNoahJohnson：thenameofWilliamStanley，inconjunctionwiththedate，wastheonlyremarkablepointaboutthispaper。Bothlettershadanappearancecorrespondingwiththeirdates；theylookedoldandsoiled；thefirstborethepost-officestampofNewYork；theotherhadnopost-mark。Mr。WyllysaskedifthisNoahJohnsoncouldbefound？
Thesailorreplied，thathehadnotseenhimforseveralyears，anddidnotknowwhathadbecomeofhim；hehadkepttheletterbecauseitacknowledgedthedebt。Herepliedtoseveralotherquestionsaboutthisman，readilyandnaturally；thoughMr。
Wyllyshadnomeansofdecidingwhethertheseanswerswerecorrectornot。HazlehurstthenmadeseveralinquiriesaboutBillings，whomhehadseen，andrememberedasabadfellow，thesonofacountryphysicianlivingnearGreatwood。Hisheight，age，appearance，andseveralcircumstancesconnectedwithhisfamily，wereallveryaccuratelygivenbyMr。Reed'sclient，asHarryfranklyadmittedtoMrs。StanleyandMr。Wyllys。
Mr。Reedlookedgratifiedbytheappearanceofthings，andMr。
Clappseemedquitesatisfiedwiththeturnmatterswerenowtaking。Throughouttheinterview，Mr。Reedseemedtolistenwithasortofcalminterest，asifhehadlittledoubtastotheresult。Mr。Clapp'smannerwasmuchmoreanxious；butthenhewasperfectlyawareofthesuspicionsagainsthim，andknewthatnotonlythisparticularcase，buthiswholeprospectsforlife，wereatstakeonthepresentoccasion。
“Likemostsailors，Mr。Stanleyhaskeptbutfewpapers，“
observedMr。Reed。
“Hehasbeenascarelessabouthisdocuments，ashewasabouthisproperty——hehaslostsomeofthegreatestimportance，“observedMr。Clapp。“Hereissomething，though，thatwillspeakforhim，“
addedthelawyer，ashehandedMrs。Stanleyabook。ItwasavolumeoftheSpectator，openattheblankleaves，andshowingthefollowingwords：“JohnWilliamStanley，Greatwood，1804；“andbelow，these，“WilliamStanley，1810；“thefirstsentencewasinthehand-writingofthefather，thesecondinthehalf-childishcharactersoftheson；bothnameshadeveryappearanceofbeingautographs。Theoppositepagewaspartlycoveredwithnamesofships，scratchesofthepen，unconnectedsentences，andoneortwocommonsailorexpressions。Mrs。Stanley'seyesgrewdimforaninstant，aftershehadreadthenamesofherhusbandandstep-son——shepassedthebooktoMr。Wyllys；hetookit，examineditclosely，butfoundnothingtocomplainofinitsappearance。
{“theSpectator“=EnglishdailyperiodicalpublishedbyRichardSteele1672-1729andJosephAddison1672-1719between1711
and1714；theeightvolumesoftheSpectatorhavebeenreprintedfrequentlyinbookformeversince}
“Thisisonlythethirdvolume；haveyouthewholeset？”heasked，turningtothesailor。
“No，sir；Ilefttherestathome。“
“IstheresuchasetatGreatwood？”askedMr。Wyllys，turningtoMrs。Stanley。
“Thereis，“repliedthelady，inalowvoice，“andonevolumemissing。“
Hazlehurstaskedtolookatthebook；itwashandedtohimbyMr。
Wyllys。Heexamineditverycarefully，binding，title-page，andcontents；Mr。Clappwatchinghimcloselyatthemoment。
“Doyoususpectthehand-writing？”askedthelawyer。
“Notintheleast，“repliedHazlehurst。“YouhavereadthisvolumeoftenIsuppose，“headded，turningtothesailor。
“NotI，“wasthereply；“Iain'tgiventoreadinginanyshape；
myshipmateshavereadthat'erebookoftenerthanIhave。“
“Didyoucarryitwithyouinallyourvoyages？”
“No；Ileftitashorehalfthetime。“
“Howlonghaveyouhaditinyourpossession？”
“SinceIfirstwenttosea。“
“Indeed！thatissingular；Ishouldhavesaid，Mr。Clapp，“
exclaimedHarry，suddenlyfacingthelawyer，“thatonlyfouryearssince，IreadthisveryvolumeoftheSpectatoratGreatwood！”
IfHazlehurstexpectedMr。Clapptobetrayconfusion，hewasdisappointed。
“Youmayhavereadsomeothervolume，“wasthecoolreply；
althoughHarrythought，orfancied，thathetracedamuscularmovementaboutthespeaker'seyelids，asheutteredthewords：
“ThatvolumehasbeeninthepossessionofMr。Stanleysincehefirstwenttosea。“
“IstherenoothercopyoftheSpectatoratyourcountry-place，Mrs。Stanley？”askedMr。Reed。
“Thereisanotheredition，entire，inthreevolumes，“saidMrs。
Stanley。
“Ihadforgottenit“saidHazlehurst；“butIam，nevertheless，convincedthatitwasthiseditionwhichIread，forIrememberlookingforitonanuppershelf，whereitbelonged。“
“Itwasprobablyanothervolumeofthesameedition；theremustbesomehalf-dozen，tojudgebythesizeofthis，“observedMr。
Reed。
“Therewereeightvolumes，butonehasbeenmissingforyears，“
saidMrs。Stanley。
“ItwasthiswhichIread，however，“saidHarry；“forIremembertheportraitofSteele，inthefrontispiece。“
“Willyousweartoit？”askedMr。Clapp，withadoubtfulsmile。
“WhenIdotakeanoath，itwillnotbelightly，sir，“repliedHazlehurst。
“Itisprettyevident，thatMr。Hazlehurstwillnotbeeasilysatisfied，“addedMr。Clapp，withanapproachtoasneer。“Shallwegoon，Mr。Reed，orstoptheexamination？”
Mrs。Stanleyprofessedherselfanxioustoaskotherquestions；
andasshehadshowedmoresymptomsofyieldingthanthegentlemen，thesailor'scounselseemedtocherishhopesofbringingherovertotheirside。Atherrequest，Mr。Wyllysthenproceededtoasksomequestions，whichhadbeenagreeduponbeforethemeeting。
“Whatisyourpreciseage，sir？”
“Ishallbethirty-seven，thetenthofnextAugust。“
“Wherewereyouborn？”
“Atmyfather'scountry-place，in——county，Pennsylvania。“
“Whenwereyoulasttherebeforehisdeath？”
“AftermywhalingvoyageintheSally-Ann，inthesummerof1814。“
“Howlongdidyoustayathomeonthatoccasion？”
“Threemonths；untilIwenttoseaintheThomasJefferson。“
“Whatwasyourmother'sname，sir？”
“Mymother'snamewasElizabethRadcliffe。“
“Whatwerethenamesofyourgrand-parents？”addedMr。Wyllys，quickly。
“MygrandfatherStanley'snamewasWilliam；Iamnamedafterhim。
Mygrandmother'smaidennamewasEllis——JaneEllis。“
“WhatweretheChristiannamesofyourgrand-parents，onyourmother'sside？”
“Letmesee——mymemoryisn'tover-good：mygrandfatherRadcliffewasnamedJohnHenry。“
“Andyourgrandmother？”
Thesailorhesitated，andseemedtochangecolour；but，perhapsitwasmerelybecausehestoopedtopickuphishandkerchief。
“It'scuriousthatIcan'trememberherChristianname，“saidhe，lookingfromonetoanother；“butIalwayscalledhergrandmother；——that'sthereason，Isuppose。“
“Taketime，andIdaresayyouwillremember，“saidClapp。“HaveyouneverchancedtoseetheoldfamilyBible？”
Thesailorlookedathim，asifinthought，andsuddenlyexclaimed：“HernamewasAgnesGraham！”Otherquestionswerethenasked，aboutthepersonsofhisparents，thehouseatGreatwood，andtheneighbourhood。Heseemedquiteathomethere，andansweredmostofthequestionswithgreataccuracy——especiallyabouttheplaceandneighbourhood。HedescribedMr。Stanleyperfectly，butdidnotappeartorememberhismothersowell；asshehaddiedearly，however，Mr。ReedandMr。Clappaccountedforitinthatway。Hemadeafewmistakesabouttheplace，buttheywerechieflyuponsubjectsofopinion，suchasthebreadthofariver，theheightofahill，thenumberofacresinafield；andpossiblyhisaccountwasquiteascorrectasthatofMr。Wyllys。
“Onwhichsideofthehouseisthedrawing-room，atGreatwood？”
askedHazlehurst。
“Maybeyouhavechangedit，sinceyougotpossession；butinmydayitwasonthenorthsideofthehouse，lookingtowardsthewoods。“
“Wherearethestairs？”
“Theystandbackasyougoin——theyareverybroad。“
“Isthereanythingparticularabouttherailing？”
Thesailorpaused。“NotthatIremember，now，“hesaid。
“Can'tyoudescribeit？——Whatisitmadeof？”
“Somekindofwood——darkwood——mahogany。“
“Whatistheshapeofthebalusters？”
Hecouldnottell；whichMr。Wyllysthoughtheoughttohavedone；fortheywereratherpeculiar，beingtwisted，andwouldprobablyberememberedbymostchildrenbroughtupinthehouse。
Mrs。Stanleythenbeggedhewoulddescribethefurnitureofthedrawing-room，suchasitwasthelastsummerhehadpassedatGreatwood。Heseemedtohesitate，andchangecountenance，morethanhehadyetdone；somuchso，astostrikeMrs。Stanleyherself；butheimmediatelyralliedagain。
“Well，“saidhe，“youaskamantheverythingshewouldn'tbelikelytoputonhislog。ButI'llmakeitalloutship-shapepresently。“Hestoopedtopickuphishandkerchief，whichhadfallenagain，andwasgoingtoproceed，whenMr。Clappinterruptedhim。
“Imusttakethelibertyofinterfering，“saidhe，lookingathiswatch，asherosefromhisseat，andmovedtowardsMr。Reed，askingifhedidnotthinktheexaminationhadbeenquitelongenough。
“Imustsay，gentlemen，“headdedsignificantly，turningtowardsMr。WyllysandHarry，“thatIthinkourclienthashadenoughofit；consideringthat，uponthewhole，thereisnooneherewhohassomuchrighttoaskquestions，insteadofansweringthem，asMr。Stanley。“
“Ishouldsuppose，sir，“saidMr。Reed，alsorisingandaddressingMr。Wyllys，“thatyoumusthaveheardandseenenoughfortheobjectofourmeeting。YouhavehadapersonalinterviewwithMr。Stanley；youconfessthatheislikehisfamily，likehimself，inshort——allowingforthedifferencebetweenaboyofeighteenandamanofthirty-seven，wherethehabitsoflifehavebeensodifferent；youadmittheidentityofthehand-writing——“
“Ibegyourpardon，sir；nottheidentity，buttheresemblance。“
“Aperfectlynaturalresemblance，underthecircumstances，I
thinkyoumustallow。“
“Yes；thesimilarityofthehand-writingisremarkable，certainly。“
“Duringthelasttwohoursyouhaveaskedthequestionswhichbestsuitedyourownpleasure，andhehasansweredthemwithgreataccuracy，withoutoneimportantmistake。Whatmorecanyoupossiblyrequire？”
“Idonotstandalone，sir；weclaimthetimepreviouslyfixedforconsideration，beforewegiveourfinalanswer。Weare，however，muchobligedtoyou，Mr。Reed，forgrantingtheinterview，evenifitsresultsarenotwhatyoumayhavehopedfor。Weshallalwaysrememberyourconductonthisoccasionwithrespect。“
Mr。WyllysthenofferedsomerefreshmentstoMr。Reed；theywereaccepted，andorderedimmediately。
Mr。ClappwasstandingnearHarry，andturningtohim，hesaid：
“Mr。Stanleyhasafavourtoask，Mr。Hazlehurst，thoughyoudon'tseemdisposedtogranthimany，“headded，withpeculiarexpression。
“'AFAIRfield，andnofavour，'isasayingyoumayhaveheard，“
repliedHazlehurst，withaslightemphasisonthefirstword。
“Butwhatisyourclient'srequest，sir？”
Mr。Clappmadeagesturetowardsthesailor，whothenspokeforhimself。
“Iunderstandthattwoofmycousinsareinthehouse，andI
shouldbegladtoseethembeforeIleaveit。“
“Whomdoyoumean，sir？”
“ElinorWyllysandMaryVanAlstyne。Ihaven'tseeneitherofthemsincetheywerechildren；butasIhavegotbutfewrelations，andnofriendsitseems，Ishouldliketoseethem。“
“YoumustapplytoMr。Wyllys；theyoungladiesareunderhiscare，“repliedHarry，coldly。
ButMr。Wyllystookuponhimselftorefusethesailor'srequest，underthecircumstances。Havingtakensomerefreshments，Mr。
Reed，hisbrothercounsel，andtheirclientnowmadetheirbows，andleftthehouse。Astheydrovefromthedoor，Mr。Reedlookedcalmandcivil，Mr。Clappverywellsatisfied；andthesailor，ashetookhisseatbyMr。Reed，observed，inavoiceloudenoughtobeheardbyHarry，whowasstandingonthepiazza：
“ItturnsoutjustasIreckoned；hardworkforamantogethisrightsinthisherelongitude！”
CHAPTERXIII。{XXXVI}
“Nay，letthemgo，acoupleofquietones！”
TamingtheShrew。
{WilliamShakespeare，“TheTamingoftheShrew“，III。ii。240}