Whenshetookthebabyaway，theladysaidtome，laughing，"Don’tbealarmedabouthishealth。Hewillbebroughtupinabetterclimatethanthis——IamgoingtotakehimtoSwitzerland。"
　　"ToSwitzerland？WhatpartofSwitzerland？"
　　"Shedidn’tsay，sir。"
　　"Onlythatfaintclue！"saidMr。Wilding。"Andaquarterofacenturyhaspassedsincethechildwastakenaway！WhatamItodo？"
　　"Ihopeyouwon’ttakeoffenceatmyfreedom，sir，"saidMrs。
　　Goldstraw;"butwhyshouldyoudistressyourselfaboutwhatistobedone？Hemaynotbealivenow，foranythingyouknow。And，ifheisalive，it’snotlikelyhecanbeinanydistress。The，ladywhoadoptedhimwasabredandbornlady——itwaseasytoseethat。AndshemusthavesatisfiedthemattheFoundlingthatshecouldprovideforthechild，ortheywouldneverhavelethertakehimaway。IfI
　　wasinyourplace，sir——pleasetoexcusemysayingso——IshouldcomfortmyselfwithrememberingthatIhadlovedthatpoorladywhoseportraityouhavegotthere——trulylovedherasmymother，andthatshehadtrulylovedmeasherson。Allshegavetoyou，shegaveforthesakeofthatlove。Itneveralteredwhileshelived;
　　anditwon’talter，I’msure，aslongasYOUlive。Howcanyouhaveabetterright，sir，tokeepwhatyouhavegotthanthat？"
　　Mr。Wilding’simmovablehonestysawthefallacyinhishouse—
　　keeper’spointofviewataglance。
　　"Youdon’tunderstandme，"hesaid。"It’sBECAUSEIlovedherthatIfeelitaduty——asacredduty——todojusticetoherson。Ifheisalivingman，Imustfindhim：formyownsake，aswellasforhis。
　　Ishallbreakdownunderthisdreadfultrial，unlessIemploymyself——actively，instantlyemploymyself——indoingwhatmyconsciencetellsmeoughttobedone。Imustspeaktomylawyer;I
　　mustsetmylawyeratworkbeforeIsleepto—night。"Heapproachedatubeinthewalloftheroom，andcalleddownthroughittotheofficebelow。"Leavemeforalittle，Mrs。Goldstraw，"heresumed;
　　"Ishallbemorecomposed，Ishallbebetterabletospeaktoyoulaterintheday。Weshallgetonwell——Ihopeweshallgetonwelltogether——inspiteofwhathashappened。Itisn’tyourfault;I
　　knowitisn’tyourfault。There！there！shakehands;and——anddothebestyoucaninthehouse——Ican’ttalkaboutitnow。"
　　ThedooropenedasMrs。Goldstrawadvancedtowardsit;andMr。
　　Jarvisappeared。
　　"SendforMr。Bintrey，"saidthewine—merchant。"SayIwanttoseehimdirectly。"
　　Theclerkunconsciouslysuspendedtheexecutionoftheorder，byannouncing"Mr。Vendale，"andshowinginthenewpartnerinthefirmofWildingandCo。
　　"Prayexcusemeforonemoment，GeorgeVendale，"saidWilding。"I
　　haveawordtosaytoJarvis。SendforMr。Bintrey，"herepeated——
　　"sendatonce。"
　　Mr。Jarvislaidaletteronthetablebeforehelefttheroom。
　　"FromourcorrespondentsatNeuchatel，Ithink，sir。TheletterhasgottheSwisspostmark。"
　　NEWCHARACTERSONTHESCENE
　　Thewords，"TheSwissPostmark，"followingsosoonuponthehousekeeper’sreferencetoSwitzerland，wroughtMr。Wilding’sagitationtosucharemarkableheight，thathisnewpartnercouldnotdecentlymakeapretenceoflettingitpassunnoticed。
　　"Wilding，"heaskedhurriedly，andyetstoppingshortandglancingaroundasifforsomevisiblecauseofhisstateofmind："whatisthematter？"
　　"MygoodGeorgeVendale，"returnedthewine—merchant，givinghishandwithanappealinglook，ratherasifhewantedhelptogetoversomeobstacle，thanasifhegaveitinwelcomeorsalutation："mygoodGeorgeVendale，somuchisthematter，thatIshallneverbemyselfagain。ItisimpossiblethatIcaneverbemyselfagain。
　　For，infact，Iamnotmyself。"
　　Thenewpartner，abrown—cheekedhandsomefellow，ofabouthisownage，withaquickdeterminedeyeandanimpulsivemanner，retortedwithnaturalastonishment："Notyourself？"
　　"NotwhatIsupposedmyselftobe，"saidWilding。
　　"What，inthenameofwonder，DIDyousupposeyourselftobethatyouarenot？"wastherejoinder，deliveredwithacheerfulfrankness，invitingconfidencefromamorereticentman。"Imayaskwithoutimpertinence，nowthatwearepartners。"
　　"Thereagain！"criedWilding，leaningbackinhischair，withalostlookattheother。"Partners！Ihadnorighttocomeintothisbusiness。Itwasnevermeantforme。Mymothernevermeantitshouldbemine。Imean，hismothermeantitshouldbehis——ifI
　　meananything——orifIamanybody。"
　　"Come，come，"urgedhispartner，afteramoment’spause，andtakingpossessionofhimwiththatcalmconfidencewhichinspiresastrongnaturewhenithonestlydesirestoaidaweakone。"Whateverhasgonewrong，hasgonewrongthroughnofaultofyours，Iamverysure。Iwasnotinthiscounting—housewithyou，undertheoldregime，forthreeyears，todoubtyou，Wilding。Wewerenotyoungermenthanweare，together，forthat。Letmebeginourpartnershipbybeingaserviceablepartner，andsettingrightwhateveriswrong。
　　Hasthatletteranythingtodowithit？"
　　"Hah！"saidWilding，withhishandtohistemple。"Thereagain！Myhead！Iwasforgettingthecoincidence。TheSwisspostmark。"
　　"AtasecondglanceIseethattheletterisunopened，soitisnotverylikelytohavemuchtodowiththematter，"saidVendale，withcomfortingcomposure。"Isitforyou，orforus？"
　　"Forus，"saidWilding。
　　"SupposeIopenitandreaditaloud，togetitoutofourway？"
　　"Thankyou，thankyou。"
　　"Theletterisonlyfromourchampagne—makingfriends，thehouseatNeuchatel。’DearSir。Weareinreceiptofyoursofthe28thult。，informingusthatyouhavetakenyourMr。Vendaleintopartnership，whereonwebegyoutoreceivetheassuranceofourfelicitations。
　　PermitustoembracetheoccasionofspeciallycommandingtoyouM。
　　JulesObenreizer。’Impossible！"
　　Wildinglookedupinquickapprehension，andcried，"Eh？"
　　"Impossiblesortofname，"returnedhispartner，slightly——
　　"Obenreizer。’——OfspeciallycommandingtoyouM。JulesObenreizer，ofSohoSquare，London（northside），henceforthfullyaccreditedasouragent，andwhohasalreadyhadthehonourofmakingtheacquaintanceofyourMr。Vendale，inhis（saidM。Obenreizer’s）
　　nativecountry，Switzerland。’Tobesure！poohpooh，whathaveI
　　beenthinkingof！Iremembernow;’whentravellingwithhisniece。’"
　　"Withhis——？"Vendalehadsoslurredthelastword，thatWildinghadnotheardit。
　　"WhentravellingwithhisNiece。Obenreizer’sNiece，"saidVendale，inasomewhatsuperfluouslylucidmanner。"NieceofObenreizer。（I
　　mettheminmyfirstSwisstour，travelledalittlewiththem，andlostthemfortwoyears;metthemagain，mySwisstourbeforelast，andhavelostthemeversince。）Obenreizer。NieceofObenreizer。
　　Tobesure！Possiblesortofname，afterall！’M。Obenreizerisinpossessionofourabsoluteconfidence，andwedonotdoubtyouwillesteemhismerits。’DulysignedbytheHouse，’DefresnieretCie。’
　　Verywell。IundertaketoseeM。Obenreizerpresently，andclearhimoutoftheway。ThatclearstheSwisspostmarkoutoftheway。
　　Sonow，mydearWilding，tellmewhatIcanclearoutofYOURway，andI’llfindawaytoclearit。"
　　Morethanreadyandgratefultobethustakenchargeof，thehonestwine—merchantwrunghispartner’shand，and，beginninghistalebypatheticallydeclaringhimselfanImpostor，toldit。
　　"Itwasonthismatter，nodoubt，thatyouweresendingforBintreywhenIcamein？"saidhispartner，afterreflecting。
　　"Itwas。"
　　"Hehasexperienceandashrewdhead;Ishallbeanxioustoknowhisopinion。ItisboldandhazardousinmetogiveyouminebeforeI
　　knowhis，butIamnotgoodatholdingback。Plainly，then，Idonotseethesecircumstancesasyouseethem。Idonotseeyourpositionasyouseeit。AstoyourbeinganImpostor，mydearWilding，thatissimplyabsurd，becausenomancanbethatwithoutbeingaconsentingpartytoanimposition。Clearlyyouneverwereso。Astoyourenrichmentbytheladywhobelievedyoutobeherson，andwhomyouwereforcedtobelieve，onhershowing，tobeyourmother，considerwhetherthatdidnotariseoutofthepersonalrelationsbetweenyou。Yougraduallybecamemuchattachedtoher;
　　shegraduallybecamemuchattachedtoyou。Itwasonyou，personallyyou，asIseethecase，thatsheconferredtheseworldlyadvantages;itwasfromher，personallyher，thatyoutookthem。"
　　"Shesupposedme，"objectedWilding，shakinghishead，"tohaveanaturalclaimuponher，whichIhadnot。"
　　"Imustadmitthat，"repliedhispartner，"tobetrue。Butifshehadmadethediscoverythatyouhavemade，sixmonthsbeforeshedied，doyouthinkitwouldhavecancelledtheyearsyouweretogether，andthetendernessthateachofyouhadconceivedfortheother，eachonincreasingknowledgeoftheother？"
　　"WhatIthink，"saidWilding，simplybutstoutlyholdingtothebarefact，"cannomorechangethetruththanitcanbringdownthesky。
　　ThetruthisthatIstandpossessedofwhatwasmeantforanotherman。"
　　"Hemaybedead，"saidVendale。
　　"Hemaybealive，"saidWilding。"Andifheisalive，haveInot——
　　innocently，Igrantyouinnocently——robbedhimofenough？HaveI
　　notrobbedhimofallthehappytimethatIenjoyedinhisstead？
　　HaveInotrobbedhimoftheexquisitedelightthatfilledmysoulwhenthatdearlady，"stretchinghishandtowardsthepicture，"toldmeshewasmymother？HaveInotrobbedhimofallthecareshelavishedonme？HaveInotevenrobbedhimofallthedevotionanddutythatIsoproudlygavetoher？ThereforeitisthatIaskmyself，GeorgeVendale，andIaskyou，whereishe？Whathasbecomeofhim？"
　　"Whocantell！"
　　"Imusttrytofindoutwhocantell。Imustinstituteinquiries。
　　Imustneverdesistfromprosecutinginquiries。Iwillliveupontheinterestofmyshare——Ioughttosayhisshare——inthisbusiness，andwilllayuptherestforhim。WhenIfindhim，Imayperhapsthrowmyselfuponhisgenerosity;butIwillyieldupalltohim。Iwill，Iswear。AsIlovedandhonouredher，"saidWilding，reverentlykissinghishandtowardsthepicture，andthencoveringhiseyeswithit。"AsIlovedandhonouredher，andhaveaworldofreasonstobegratefultoher！"Andsobrokedownagain。
　　Hispartnerrosefromthechairhehadoccupied，andstoodbesidehimwithahandsoftlylaiduponhisshoulder。"Walter，Iknewyoubeforeto—daytobeanuprightman，withapureconscienceandafineheart。ItisveryfortunateformethatIhavetheprivilegetotraveloninlifesoneartosotrustworthyaman。Iamthankfulforit。Usemeasyourrighthand，andrelyuponmetothedeath。
　　Don’tthinktheworseofmeifIprotesttoyouthatmyuppermostfeelingatpresentisaconfused，youmaycallitanunreasonable，one。Ifeelfarmorepityfortheladyandforyou，becauseyoudidnotstandinyoursupposedrelations，thanIcanfeelfortheunknownman（ifheeverbecameaman），becausehewasunconsciouslydisplaced。YouhavedonewellinsendingforMr。Bintrey。WhatI
　　thinkwillbeapartofhisadvice，Iknowisthewholeofmine。Donotmoveastepinthisseriousmatterprecipitately。Thesecretmustbekeptamonguswithgreatstrictness，fortopartwithitlightlywouldbetoinvitefraudulentclaims，toencourageahostofknaves，toletlooseafloodofperjuryandplotting。Ihavenomoretosaynow，Walter，thantoremindyouthatyousoldmeashareinyourbusiness，expresslytosaveyourselffrommoreworkthanyourpresenthealthisfitfor，andthatIboughtitexpresslytodowork，andmeantodoit。"
　　Withthesewords，andapartinggripofhispartner’sshoulderthatgavethemthebestemphasistheycouldhavehad，GeorgeVendalebetookhimselfpresentlytothecounting—house，andpresentlyafterwardstotheaddressofM。JulesObenreizer。
　　AsheturnedintoSohoSquare，anddirectedhisstepstowardsitsnorthside，adeepenedcolourshotacrosshissun—brownedface，whichWilding，ifhehadbeenabetterobserver，orhadbeenlessoccupiedwithhisowntrouble，mighthavenoticedwhenhispartnerreadaloudacertainpassageintheirSwisscorrespondent’sletter，whichhehadnotreadsodistinctlyastherest。
　　AcuriouscolonyofmountaineershaslongbeenenclosedwithinthatsmallflatLondondistrictofSoho。Swisswatchmakers，Swisssilver—chasers，Swissjewellers，SwissimportersofSwissmusicalboxesandSwisstoysofvariouskinds，drawclosetogetherthere。
　　Swissprofessorsofmusic，painting，andlanguages;Swissartificersinsteadywork;Swisscouriers，andotherSwissservantschronicallyoutofplace;industriousSwisslaundressesandclear—starchers;
　　mysteriouslyexistingSwissofbothsexes;SwisscreditableandSwissdiscreditable;Swisstobetrustedbyallmeans，andSwisstobetrustedbynomeans;thesediverseSwissparticlesareattractedtoacentreinthedistrictofSoho。ShabbySwisseating—houses，coffee—houses，andlodging—houses，Swissdrinksanddishes，SwissserviceforSundays，andSwissschoolsforweek—days，arealltobefoundthere。Eventhenative—bornEnglishtavernsdriveasortofbroken—Englishtrade;announcingintheirwindowsSwisswhetsanddrams，andshelteringintheirbarsSwissskirmishesofloveandanimosityonmostnightsintheyear。
　　WhenthenewpartnerinWildingandCo。rangthebellofadoorbearingthebluntinscriptionOBENREIZERonabrassplate——theinnerdoorofasubstantialhouse，whosegroundstorywasdevotedtothesaleofSwissclocks——hepassedatonceintodomesticSwitzerland。
　　Awhite—tiledstoveforwinter—timefilledthefireplaceoftheroomintowhichhewasshown，theroom’sbarefloorwaslaidtogetherinaneatpatternofseveralordinarywoods，theroomhadaprevalentairofsurfacebarenessandmuchscrubbing;andthelittlesquareofflowerycarpetbythesofa，andthevelvetchimney—boardwithitscapaciousclockandvasesofartificialflowers，contendedwiththattone，asif，inbringingoutthewholeeffect，aParisianhadadaptedadairytodomesticpurposes。
　　Mimicwaterwasdroppingoffamill—wheelundertheclock。Thevisitorhadnotstoodbeforeit，followingitwithhiseyes，aminute，whenM。Obenreizer，athiselbow，startledhimbysaying，inverygoodEnglish，veryslightlyclipped："Howdoyoudo？Soglad！"
　　"Ibegyourpardon。Ididn’thearyoucomein。"
　　"Notatall！Sit，please。"
　　Releasinghisvisitor’stwoarms，whichhehadlightlypinionedattheelbowsbywayofembrace，M。Obenreizeralsosat，remarking，withasmile："Youarewell？Soglad！"andtouchinghiselbowsagain。
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidVendale，afterexchangeofsalutations，"whetheryoumayyethaveheardofmefromyourHouseatNeuchatel？"
　　"Ah，yes！"
　　"InconnectionwithWildingandCo。？"
　　"Ah，surely！"
　　"IsitnotoddthatIshouldcometoyou，inLondonhere，asoneoftheFirmofWildingandCo。，topaytheFirm’srespects？"
　　"Notatall！WhatdidIalwaysobservewhenwewereonthemountains？Wecallthemvast;buttheworldissolittle。Solittleistheworld，thatonecannotkeepawayfrompersons。Therearesofewpersonsintheworld，thattheycontinuallycrossandre—
　　cross。Soverylittleistheworld，thatonecannotgetridofaperson。Not，"touchinghiselbowsagain，withaningratiatorysmile，"thatonewoulddesiretogetridofyou。"
　　"Ihopenot，M。Obenreizer。"
　　"Pleasecallme，inyourcountry，Mr。Icallmyselfso，forIloveyourcountry。IfICOULDbeEnglish！ButIamborn。Andyou？
　　Thoughdescendedfromsofineafamily，youhavehadthecondescensiontocomeintotrade？Stopthough。Wines？IsittradeinEnglandorprofession？Notfineart？"
　　"Mr。Obenreizer，"returnedVendale，somewhatoutofcountenance，"I
　　wasbutasillyyoungfellow，justofage，whenIfirsthadthepleasureoftravellingwithyou，andwhenyouandIandMademoiselleyourniece——whoiswell？"
　　"Thankyou。Whoiswell。"
　　"——Sharedsomeslightglacierdangerstogether。If，withaboy’svanity，Irathervauntedmyfamily，IhopeIdidsoasakindofintroductionofmyself。Itwasveryweak，andinverybadtaste;
　　butperhapsyouknowourEnglishproverb，’LiveandLearn。’"
　　"Youmaketoomuchofit，"returnedtheSwiss。"Andwhatthedevil！
　　Afterall，yoursWASafinefamily。"
　　GeorgeVendale’slaughbetrayedalittlevexationasherejoined：
　　"Well！Iwasstronglyattachedtomyparents，andwhenwefirsttravelledtogether，Mr。Obenreizer，Iwasinthefirstflushofcomingintowhatmyfatherandmotherleftme。SoIhopeitmayhavebeen，afterall，moreyouthfulopennessofspeechandheartthanboastfulness。"
　　"Allopennessofspeechandheart！Noboastfulness！"criedObenreizer。"Youtaxyourselftooheavily。Youtaxyourself，myfaith！asifyouwasyourGovernmenttaxingyou！Besides，itcommencedwithme。Iremember，thateveningintheboatuponthelake，floatingamongthereflectionsofthemountainsandvalleys，thecragsandpinewoods，whichweremyearliestremembrance，Idrewaword—pictureofmysordidchildhood。Ofourpoorhut，bythewaterfallwhichmymothershowedtotravellers;ofthecow—shedwhereIsleptwiththecow;ofmyidiothalf—brotheralwayssittingatthedoor，orlimpingdownthePasstobeg;ofmyhalf—sisteralwaysspinning，andrestingherenormousgoitreonagreatstone;
　　ofmybeingafamishednakedlittlewretchoftwoorthreeyears，whentheyweremenandwomenwithhardhandstobeatme，I，theonlychildofmyfather’ssecondmarriage——ifitevenwasamarriage。
　　Whatmorenaturalthanforyoutocomparenoteswithme，andsay，’Weareasonebyage;atthatsametimeIsatuponmymother’slapinmyfather’scarriage，rollingthroughtherichEnglishstreets，allluxurysurroundingme，allsqualidpovertykeptfarfromme。
　　SuchisMYearliestremembranceasopposedtoyours！’"
　　Mr。Obenreizerwasablack—hairedyoungmanofadarkcomplexion，throughwhoseswarthyskinnoredglowevershone。Whencolourwouldhavecomeintoanothercheek，ahardlydiscerniblebeatwouldcomeintohis，asifthemachineryforbringinguptheardentbloodwerethere，butthemachineryweredry。Hewasrobustlymade，wellproportioned，andhadhandsomefeatures。Manywouldhaveperceivedthatsomesurfacechangeinhimwouldhavesetthemmoreattheireasewithhim，withoutbeingabletodefinewhatchange。Ifhislipscouldhavebeenmademuchthicker，andhisneckmuchthinner，theywouldhavefoundtheirwantsupplied。
　　ButthegreatObenreizerpeculiaritywas，thatacertainnamelessfilmwouldcomeoverhiseyes——apparentlybytheactionofhisownwill——whichwouldimpenetrablyveil，notonlyfromthosetellersoftales，butfromhisfaceatlarge，everyexpressionsaveoneofattention。Itbynomeansfollowedthathisattentionshouldbewhollygiventothepersonwithwhomhespoke，orevenwhollybestowedonpresentsoundsandobjects。Rather，itwasacomprehensivewatchfulnessofeverythinghehadinhisownmind，andeverythingthatheknewtobe，orsuspectedtobe，inthemindsofothermen。
　　Atthisstageoftheconversation，Mr。Obenreizer’sfilmcameoverhim。
　　"Theobjectofmypresentvisit，"saidVendale，"is，Ineedhardlysay，toassureyouofthefriendlinessofWildingandCo。，andofthegoodnessofyourcreditwithus，andofourdesiretobeofservicetoyou。Wehopeshortlytoofferyouourhospitality。
　　Thingsarenotquiteintrainwithusyet，formypartner，Mr。
　　Wilding，isreorganisingthedomesticpartofourestablishment，andisinterruptedbysomeprivateaffairs。Youdon’tknowMr。Wilding，Ibelieve？"
　　Mr。Obenreizerdidnot。
　　"Youmustcometogethersoon。Hewillbegladtohavemadeyouracquaintance，andIthinkImaypredictthatyouwillbegladtohavemadehis。YouhavenotbeenlongestablishedinLondon，I
　　suppose，Mr。Obenreizer？"
　　"ItisonlynowthatIhaveundertakenthisagency。"
　　"Mademoiselleyourniece——is——notmarried？"
　　"Notmarried。"
　　GeorgeVendaleglancedabouthim，asifforanytokensofher。
　　"ShehasbeeninLondon？"
　　"SheISinLondon。"
　　"When，andwhere，mightIhavethehonourofrecallingmyselftoherremembrance？"
　　Mr。Obenreizer，discardinghisfilmandtouchinghisvisitor’selbowsasbefore，saidlightly："Comeup—stairs。"
　　Flutteredenoughbythesuddennesswithwhichtheinterviewhehadsoughtwascominguponhimafterall，GeorgeVendalefollowedup—
　　stairs。Inaroomoverthechamberhehadjustquitted——aroomalsoSwiss—appointed——ayoungladysatnearoneofthreewindows，workingatanembroidery—frame;andanolderladysatwithherfaceturnedclosetoanotherwhite—tiledstove（thoughitwassummer，andthestovewasnotlighted），cleaninggloves。Theyoungladyworeanunusualquantityoffairbrighthair，veryprettilybraidedaboutaratherrounderwhiteforeheadthantheaverageEnglishtype，andsoherfacemighthavebeenashade——orsayalight——rounderthantheaverageEnglishface，andherfigureslightlyrounderthanthefigureoftheaverageEnglishgirlatnineteen。Aremarkableindicationoffreedomandgraceoflimb，inherquietattitude，andawonderfulpurityandfreshnessofcolourinherdimpledfaceandbrightgrayeyes，seemedfraughtwithmountainair。Switzerlandtoo，thoughthegeneralfashionofherdresswasEnglish，peepedoutofthefancifulbodiceshewore，andlurkedinthecuriousclockedredstocking，andinitslittlesilver—buckledshoe。Astotheelderlady，sittingwithherfeetapartuponthelowerbrassledgeofthestove，supportingalap—fullofgloveswhileshecleanedonestretchedonherlefthand，shewasatrueSwissimpersonationofanotherkind;fromthebreadthofhercushion—likeback，andtheponderosityofherrespectablelegs（ifthewordbeadmissible），totheblackvelvetbandtiedtightlyroundherthroatfortherepressionofarisingtendencytogoitre;or，higherstill，tohergreatcopper—colouredgoldear—rings;or，higherstill，toherhead—
　　dressofblackgauzestretchedonwire。
　　"MissMarguerite，"saidObenreizertotheyounglady，"doyourecollectthisgentleman？"
　　"Ithink，"sheanswered，risingfromherseat，surprisedandalittleconfused："itisMr。Vendale？"
　　"Ithinkitis，"saidObenreizer，dryly。"Permitme，Mr。Vendale。
　　MadameDor。"
　　Theelderladybythestove，withtheglovestretchedonherlefthand，likeaglover’ssign，halfgotup，halflookedoverherbroadshoulder，andwhollyplumpeddownagainandrubbedaway。
　　"MadameDor，"saidObenreizer，smiling，"issokindastokeepmefreefromstainortear。MadameDorhumoursmyweaknessforbeingalwaysneat，anddevoteshertimetoremovingeveryoneofmyspecksandspots。"
　　MadameDor，withthestretchedgloveintheair，andhereyescloselyscrutinizingitspalm，discoveredatoughspotinMr。
　　Obenreizeratthatinstant，andrubbedhardathim。GeorgeVendaletookhisseatbytheembroidery—frame（havingfirsttakenthefairrighthandthathisentrancehadchecked），andglancedatthegoldcrossthatdippedintothebodice，withsomethingofthedevotionofapilgrimwhohadreachedhisshrineatlast。Obenreizerstoodinthemiddleoftheroomwithhisthumbsinhiswaistcoat—pockets，andbecamefilmy。
　　"Hewassayingdown—stairs，MissObenreizer，"observedVendale，"thattheworldissosmallaplace，thatpeoplecannotescapeoneanother。IhavefounditmuchtoolargeformesinceIsawyoulast。"
　　"Haveyoutravelledsofar，then？"sheinquired。
　　"Notsofar，forIhaveonlygonebacktoSwitzerlandeachyear;butIcouldhavewished——andindeedIhavewishedveryoften——thatthelittleworlddidnotaffordsuchopportunitiesforlongescapesasitdoes。Ifithadbeenless，Imighthavefoundmyfollow—
　　travellerssooner，youknow。"
　　TheprettyMargueritecoloured，andveryslightlyglancedinthedirectionofMadameDor。
　　"Youfindusatlength，Mr。Vendale。Perhapsyoumayloseusagain。"
　　"Itrustnot。Thecuriouscoincidencethathasenabledmetofindyou，encouragesmetohopenot。"
　　"Whatisthatcoincidence，sir，ifyouplease？"Adaintylittlenativetouchinthisturnofspeech，andinitstone，madeitperfectlycaptivating，thoughtGeorgeVendale，whenagainhenoticedaninstantaneousglancetowardsMadameDor。Acautionseemedtobeconveyedinit，rapidflashthoughitwas;sohequietlytookheedofMadameDorfromthattimeforth。
　　"ItisthatIhappentohavebecomeapartnerinaHouseofbusinessinLondon，towhichMr。Obenreizerhappensthisverydaytobeexpresslyrecommended：andthat，too，byanotherhouseofbusinessinSwitzerland，inwhich（asitturnsout）webothhaveacommercialinterest。Hehasnottoldyou？"
　　"Ah！"criedObenreizer，strikingin，filmless。"No。IhadnottoldMissMarguerite。Theworldissosmallandsomonotonousthatasurpriseisworthhavinginsuchalittlejog—trotplace。Itisashetellsyou，MissMarguerite。He，ofsofineafamily，andsoproudlybred，hascondescendedtotrade。Totrade！Likeuspoorpeasantswhohaverisenfromditches！"
　　Acloudcreptoverthefairbrow，andshecastdownhereyes。
　　"Why，itisgoodfortrade！"pursuedObenreizer，enthusiastically。
　　"Itennoblestrade！Itisthemisfortuneoftrade，itisitsvulgarity，thatanylowpeople——forexample，wepoorpeasants——maytaketoitandclimbbyit。Seeyou，mydearVendale！"Hespokewithgreatenergy。"ThefatherofMissMarguerite，myeldesthalf—
　　brother，morethantwotimesyourageormine，iflivingnow，wanderedwithoutshoes，almostwithoutrags，fromthatwretchedPass——wandered——wandered——gottobefedwiththemulesanddogsatanInninthemainvalleyfaraway——gottobeBoythere——gottobeOstler——gottobeWaiter——gottobeCook——gottobeLandlord。AsLandlord，hetookme（couldhetaketheidiotbeggarhisbrother，orthespinningmonstrosityhissister？）toputaspupiltothefamouswatchmaker，hisneighbourandfriend。HiswifedieswhenMissMargueriteisborn。Whatishiswill，andwhatarehiswordstome，whenhedies，shebeingbetweengirlandwoman？’AllforMarguerite，exceptsomuchbytheyearforyou。Youareyoung，butImakeheryourward，foryouwereoftheobscurestandthepoorestpeasantry，andsowasI，andsowashermother;wewereabjectpeasantsall，andyouwillrememberit。’Thethingisequallytrueofmostofmycountrymen，nowintradeinthisyourLondonquarterofSoho。Peasantsonce;low—borndrudgingSwissPeasants。Thenhowgoodandgreatfortrade："here，fromhavingbeenwarm，hebecameplayfullyjubilant，andtouchedtheyoungwine—merchant’selbowsagainwithhislightembrace："tobeexaltedbygentlemen。"
　　"Idonotthinkso，"saidMarguerite，withaflushedcheek，andalookawayfromthevisitor，thatwasalmostdefiant。"Ithinkitisasmuchexaltedbyuspeasants。"
　　"Fie，fie，MissMarguerite，"saidObenreizer。"YouspeakinproudEngland。"
　　"Ispeakinproudearnest，"sheanswered，quietlyresumingherwork，"andIamnotEnglish，butaSwisspeasant’sdaughter。"
　　Therewasadismissalofthesubjectinherwords，whichVendalecouldnotcontendagainst。Heonlysaidinanearnestmanner，"I
　　mostheartilyagreewithyou，MissObenreizer，andIhavealreadysaidso，asMr。Obenreizerwillbearwitness，"whichhebynomeansdid，"inthishouse。"
　　Now，Vendale’seyeswerequickeyes，andsharplywatchingMadameDorbytimes，notedsomethinginthebroadbackviewofthatlady。
　　Therewasconsiderablepantomimicexpressioninherglove—cleaning。
　　IthadbeenverysoftlydonewhenhespokewithMarguerite，orithadaltogetherstopped，liketheactionofalistener。WhenObenreizer’speasant—speechcametoanend，sherubbedmostvigorously，asifapplaudingit。Andonceortwice，astheglove（whichshealwaysheldbeforeheralittleaboveherface）turnedintheair，orasthisfingerwentdown，orthatwentup，heevenfanciedthatitmadesometelegraphiccommunicationtoObenreizer：
　　whosebackwascertainlyneverturneduponit，thoughhedidnotseematalltoheedit。
　　Vendaleobservedtoo，thatinMarguerite’sdismissalofthesubjecttwiceforceduponhimtohismisrepresentation，therewasanindignanttreatmentofherguardianwhichshetriedtocheek：asthoughshewouldhaveflamedoutagainsthim，butfortheinfluenceoffear。Healsoobserved——thoughthiswasnotmuch——thatheneveradvancedwithinthedistanceofheratwhichhefirstplacedhimself：asthoughtherewerelimitsfixedbetweenthem。Neitherhadheeverspokenofherwithouttheprefix"Miss，"thoughwheneverheutteredit，itwaswiththefaintesttraceofanairofmockery。
　　AndnowitoccurredtoVendaleforthefirsttimethatsomethingcuriousintheman，whichhehadneverbeforebeenabletodefine，wasdefinableasacertainsubtleessenceofmockerythateludedtouchoranalysis。HefeltconvincedthatMargueritewasinsomesortaprisonerastoherfreewill——thoughsheheldherownagainstthosetwocombined，bytheforceofhercharacter，whichwasneverthelessinadequatetoherrelease。Tofeelconvincedofthis，wasnottofeellessdisposedtoloveherthanhehadalwaysbeen。
　　Inaword，hewasdesperatelyinlovewithher，andthoroughlydeterminedtopursuetheopportunitywhichhadopenedatlast。
　　Forthepresent，hemerelytoucheduponthepleasurethatWildingandCo。wouldsoonhaveinentreatingMissObenreizertohonourtheirestablishmentwithherpresence——acuriousoldplace，thoughabachelorhousewithal——andsodidnotprotracthisvisitbeyondsuchavisit’sordinarylength。Goingdown—stairs，conductedbyhishost，hefoundtheObenreizercounting—houseatthebackoftheentrance—hall，andseveralshabbymeninoutlandishgarmentshangingabout，whomObenreizerputasidethathemightpass，withafewwordsinpatois。
　　"Countrymen，"heexplained，asheattendedVendaletothedoor。
　　"Poorcompatriots。Gratefulandattached，likedogs！Good—bye。Tomeetagain。Soglad！"
　　Twomorelighttouchesonhiselbowsdismissedhimintothestreet。
　　SweetMargueriteatherframe，andMadameDor’sbroadbackathertelegraph，floatedbeforehimtoCrippleCorner。Onhisarrivalthere，WildingwasclosetedwithBintrey。Thecellardoorshappeningtobeopen，Vendalelightedacandleinacleftstick，andwentdownforacellarousstroll。GracefulMargueritefloatedbeforehimfaithfully，butMadameDor’sbroadbackremainedoutside。
　　Thevaultswereveryspacious，andveryold。Therehadbeenastonecryptdownthere，whenbygoneswerenotbygones;somesaid，partofamonkishrefectory;somesaid，ofachapel;somesaid，ofaPagantemple。Itwasallonenow。Letwhowouldmakewhathelikedofacrumbledpillarandabrokenarchorso。OldTimehadmadewhatHE
　　likedofit，andwasquiteindifferenttocontradiction。
　　Thecloseair，themustysmell，andthethunderousrumblinginthestreetsabove，asbeing，outoftheroutineofordinarylife，wentwellenoughwiththepictureofprettyMargueriteholdingherownagainstthosetwo。SoVendalewentonuntil，ataturninginthevaults，hesawalightlikethelighthecarried。
　　"O！Youarehere，areyou，Joey？"
　　"Oughtn’titrathertogo，’O！YOU’REhere，areyou，MasterGeorge？’Forit’smybusinesstobehere。Butitain’tyourn。"
　　"Don’tgrumble，Joey。"
　　"O！Idon’tgrumble，"returnedtheCellarman。"Ifanythinggrumbles，it’swhatI’vetookinthroughthepores;itain’tme。
　　Haveacareassomethinginyoudon’tbeginagrumbling，MasterGeorge。Stopherelongenoughforthewapourstowork，andthey’llbeatit。"
　　Hispresentoccupationconsistedofpokinghisheadintothebins，makingmeasurementsandmentalcalculations，andenteringtheminarhinoceros—hide—lookingnote—book，likeapieceofhimself。
　　"They’llbeatit，"heresumed，layingthewoodenrodthathemeasuredwithacrosstwocasks，enteringhislastcalculation，andstraighteninghisback，"trust’em！Andsoyou’veregularlycomeintothebusiness，MasterGeorge？"
　　"Regularly。Ihopeyoudon’tobject，Joey？"
　　"Idon’t，blessyou。ButWapoursobjectsthatyou’retooyoung。
　　You’rebothonyoutooyoung。"
　　"Weshallgotoverthatobjectiondaybyday，Joey。"
　　"Ay，MasterGeorge;butIshalldaybydaygetovertheobjectionthatI’mtooold，andsoIshan’tbecapableofseeingmuchimprovementinyou。"
　　TheretortsotickledJoeyLadlethathegruntedforthalaughanddelivereditagain，gruntingforthanotherlaughafterthesecondeditionof"improvementinyou。"
　　"Butwhat’snolaughingmatter，MasterGeorge，"heresumed，straighteninghisbackoncemore，"is，thatyoungMasterWildinghasgoneandchangedtheluck。Markmywords。Hehaschangedtheluck，andhe’llfinditout。Iain’tbeendownhereallmylifefornothing！IknowbywhatInoticesdownhere，whenit’sa—goingtorain，whenit’sa—goingtoholdup，whenit’sa—goingtoblow，whenit’sa—goingtobecalm。Iknow，bywhatInoticesdownhere，whentheluck’schanged，quiteaswell。"
　　"Hasthisgrowthontheroofanythingtodowithyourdivination？"
　　askedVendale，holdinghislighttowardsagloomyraggedgrowthofdarkfungus，pendentfromthearcheswithaverydisagreeableandrepellenteffect。"Wearefamousforthisgrowthinthisvault，aren’twe？"
　　"WeareMasterGeorge，"repliedJoeyLadle，movingasteportwoaway，"andifyou’llbeadvisedbyme，you’llletitalone。"
　　Takinguptherodjustnowlaidacrossthetwocasks，andfaintlymovingthelanguidfunguswithit，Vendaleasked，"Ay，indeed？Whyso？"
　　"Why，notsomuchbecauseitrisesfromthecasksofwine，andmayleaveyoutojudgewhatsortofstuffaCellarmantakesintohimselfwhenhewalksinthesameallthedaysofhislife，noryetsomuchbecauseatastageofitsgrowthit’smaggots，andyou’llfetch’emdownuponyou，"returnedJoeyLadle，stillkeepingaway，"asforanotherreason，MasterGeorge。"
　　"Whatotherreason？"
　　"（Iwouldn’tkeepontouchin’it，ifIwasyou，sir。）I’lltellyouifyou’llcomeoutoftheplace。First，takealookatitscolour，MasterGeorge。"
　　"Iamdoingso。"
　　"Done，sir。Now，comeoutoftheplace。"
　　Hemovedawaywithhislight，andVendalefollowedwithhis。WhenVendalecameupwithhim，andtheyweregoingbacktogether，Vendale，eyeinghimastheywalkedthroughthearches，said："Well，Joey？Thecolour。"
　　"Isitlikeclottedblood，MasterGeorge？"
　　"Likeenough，perhaps。"
　　"Morethanenough，Ithink，"mutteredJoeyLadle，shakinghisheadsolemnly。
　　"Well，sayitislike;sayitisexactlylike。Whatthen？"
　　"MasterGeorge，theydosay——"
　　"Who？"
　　"HowshouldIknowwho？"rejoinedtheCellarman，apparentlymuchexasperatedbytheunreasonablenatureofthequestion。"Them！
　　Themassaysprettywelleverything，youknow。HowshouldIknowwhoTheyare，ifyoudon’t？"
　　"True。Goon。"
　　"Theydosaythatthemanthatgetsbyanyaccidentapieceofthatdarkgrowthrightuponhisbreast，will，forsureandcertain，diebymurder。"
　　AsVendalelaughinglystoppedtomeettheCellarman’seyes，whichhehadfastenedonhislightwhiledreamilysayingthosewords，hesuddenlybecameconsciousofbeingstruckuponhisownbreastbyaheavyhand。Instantlyfollowingwithhiseyestheactionofthehandthatstruckhim——whichwashiscompanion’s——hesawthatithadbeatenoffhisbreastaweborclotofthefunguseventhenfloatingtotheground。
　　ForamomentheturnedupontheCellarmanalmostasscaredalookastheCellarmanturneduponhim。Butinanothermomenttheyhadreachedthedaylightatthefootofthecellar—steps，andbeforehecheerfullysprangupthem，heblewouthiscandleandthesuperstitiontogether。
　　EXITWILDING
　　Onthemorningofthenextday，Wildingwentoutalone，afterleavingamessagewithhisclerk。"IfMr。Vendaleshouldaskforme，"hesaid，"orifMr。Bintreyshouldcall，tellthemIamgonetotheFoundling。"Allthathispartnerhadsaidtohim，allthathislawyer，followingonthesameside，couldurge，hadlefthimpersistingunshakeninhisownpointofview。Tofindthelostman，whoseplacehehadusurped，wasnowtheparamountinterestofhislife，andtoinquireattheFoundlingwasplainlytotakethefirststepinthedirectionofdiscovery。TotheFoundling，accordingly，thewine—merchantnowwent。
　　Theoncefamiliaraspectofthebuildingwasalteredtohim，asthelookoftheportraitoverthechimney—piecewasalteredtohim。Hisonedearestassociationwiththeplacewhichhadshelteredhischildhoodhadbeenbrokenawayfromitforever。Astrangereluctancepossessedhim，whenhestatedhisbusinessatthedoor。
　　Hisheartachedashesataloneinthewaiting—roomwhiletheTreasureroftheinstitutionwasbeingsentfortoseehim。Whentheinterviewbegan，itwasonlybyapainfuleffortthathecouldcomposehimselfsufficientlytomentionthenatureofhiserrand。
　　TheTreasurerlistenedwithafacewhichpromisedallneedfulattention，andpromisednothingmore。
　　"Weareobligedtobecautious，"hesaid，whenitcametohisturntospeak，"aboutallinquirieswhicharemadebystrangers。"
　　"Youcanhardlyconsidermeastranger，"answeredWilding，simply。
　　"Iwasoneofyourpoorlostchildrenhere，inthebygonetime。"
　　TheTreasurerpolitelyrejoinedthatthiscircumstanceinspiredhimwithaspecialinterestinhisvisitor。Buthepressed，neverthelessforthatvisitor’smotiveinmakinghisinquiry。
　　Withoutfurtherpreface，Wildingtoldhimhismotive，suppressingnothing。TheTreasurerrose，andledthewayintotheroominwhichtheregistersoftheinstitutionwerekept。"Alltheinformationwhichourbookscangiveisheartilyatyourservice，"hesaid。
　　"Afterthetimethathaselapsed，Iamafraiditistheonlyinformationwehavetoofferyou。"
　　Thebookswereconsulted，andtheentrywasfoundexpressedasfollows：
　　"3dMarch，1836。Adopted，andremovedfromtheFoundlingHospital，amaleinfant，namedWalterWilding。Nameandconditionofthepersonadoptingthechild——Mrs。JaneAnnMiller，widow。Address——
　　Lime—TreeLodge，GroombridgeWells。References——theReverendJohnHarker，GroombridgeWells;andMessrs。Giles，Jeremie，andGiles，bankers，LombardStreet。"
　　"Isthatall？"askedthewine—merchant。"Hadyounoafter—
　　communicationwithMrs。Miller？"
　　"None——orsomereferencetoitmusthaveappearedinthisbook。"
　　"MayItakeacopyoftheentry？"
　　"Certainly！Youarealittleagitated。Letmemakeacopyforyou。"
　　"Myonlychance，Isuppose，"saidWilding，lookingsadlyatthecopy，"istoinquireatMrs。Miller’sresidence，andtotryifherreferencescanhelpme？"
　　"ThatistheonlychanceIseeatpresent，"answeredtheTreasurer。
　　"IheartilywishIcouldhavebeenofsomefurtherassistancetoyou。"
　　WiththosefarewellwordstocomforthimWildingsetforthonthejourneyofinvestigationwhichbeganfromtheFoundlingdoors。Thefirststagetomakefor，wasplainlythehouseofbusinessofthebankersinLombardStreet。Twoofthepartnersinthefirmwereinaccessibletochance—visitorswhenheaskedforthem。Thethird，afterraisingcertaininevitabledifficulties，consentedtoletaclerkexaminetheledgermarkedwiththeinitialletter"M。"TheaccountofMrs。Miller，widow，ofGroombridgeWells，wasfound。Twolonglines，infadedink，weredrawnacrossit;andatthebottomofthepagethereappearedthisnoteAccountclosed，September30th，1837。"
　　Sothefirststageofthejourneywasreached——andsoitendedinNoThoroughfare！AftersendinganotetoCrippleCornertoinformhispartnerthathisabsencemightbeprolongedforsomehours，Wildingtookhisplaceinthetrain，andstartedforthesecondstageonthejourney——Mrs。Miller’sresidenceatGroombridgeWells。
　　Mothersandchildrentravelledwithhim;mothersandchildrenmeteachotheratthestation;mothersandchildrenwereintheshopswhenheenteredthemtoinquireforLime—TreeLodge。Everywhere，thenearestanddearestofhumanrelationsshoweditselfhappilyinthehappylightofday。Everywhere，hewasremindedofthetreasureddelusionfromwhichhehadbeenawakenedsocruelly——ofthelostmemorywhichhadpassedfromhimlikeareflectionfromaglass。
　　Inquiringhere，inquiringthere，hecouldhearofnosuchplaceasLime—TreeLodge。Passingahouse—agent’soffice，hewentinwearily，andputthequestionforthelasttime。Thehouse—agentpointedacrossthestreettoadrearymansionofmanywindows，whichmighthavebeenamanufactory，butwhichwasanhotel。"That’swhereLime—TreeLodgestood，sir，"saidtheman，"tenyearsago。"
　　Thesecondstagereached，andNoThoroughfareagain！
　　Butonechancewasleft。Theclericalreference，Mr。Harker，stillremainedtobefound。Customerscominginatthemomenttooccupythehouse—agent’sattention，Wildingwentdownthestreet，andenteringabookseller’sshop，askedifhecouldbeinformedoftheReverendJohnHarker’spresentaddress。
　　Thebooksellerlookedunaffectedlyshockedandastonished，andmadenoanswer。
　　Wildingrepeatedhisquestion。
　　Thebooksellertookupfromhiscounteraprimlittlevolumeinabindingofsobergray。Hehandedittohisvisitor，openatthetitle—page。Wildingread：
　　"ThemartyrdomoftheReverendJohnHarkerinNewZealand。Relatedbyaformermemberofhisflock。"
　　Wildingputthebookdownonthecounter。"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaidthinkingalittle，perhaps，ofhisownpresentmartyrdomwhilehespoke。Thesilentbookselleracknowledgedtheapologybyabow。
　　Wildingwentout。
　　Thirdandlaststage，andNoThoroughfareforthethirdandlasttime。
　　Therewasnothingmoretobedone;therewasabsolutelynochoicebuttogobacktoLondon，defeatedatallpoints。Fromtimetotimeonthereturnjourney，thewine—merchantlookedathiscopyoftheentryintheFoundlingRegister。Thereisoneamongthemanyformsofdespair——perhapsthemostpitiableofall——whichpersistsindisguisingitselfasHope。Wildingcheckedhimselfintheactofthrowingtheuselessmorselofpaperoutofthecarriagewindow。
　　"Itmayleadtosomethingyet，"hethought。"WhileIlive，Iwon’tpartwithit。WhenIdie，myexecutorsshallfinditsealedupwithmywill。"
　　Now，thementionofhiswillsetthegoodwine—merchantonanewtrackofthought，withoutdivertinghismindfromitsengrossingsubject。Hemustmakehiswillimmediately。
　　TheapplicationofthephraseNoThoroughfaretothecasehadoriginatedwithMr。Bintrey。Intheirfirstlongconferencefollowingthediscovery，thatsagaciouspersonagehadahundredtimesrepeated，withanobstructiveshakeofthehead，"NoThoroughfare，Sir，NoThoroughfare。Mybeliefisthatthereisnowayoutofthisatthistimeofday，andmyadviceis，makeyourselfcomfortablewhereyouare。"
　　Inthecourseoftheprotractedconsultation，amagnumoftheforty—
　　fiveyearoldport—winehadbeenproducedforthewettingofMr。
　　Bintrey’slegalwhistle;butthemoreclearlyhesawhiswaythroughthewine，themoreemphaticallyhedidnotseehiswaythroughthecase;repeatingasoftenashesethisglassdownempty。"Mr。
　　Wilding，NoThoroughfare。Restandbethankful。"
　　Itiscertainthatthehonestwine—merchant’sanxietytomakeawilloriginatedinprofoundconscientiousness;thoughitispossible（andquiteconsistentwithhisrectitude）thathemayunconsciouslyhavederivedsomefeelingofrelieffromtheprospectofdelegatinghisowndifficultytotwoothermenwhoweretocomeafterhim。Bethatasitmay，hepursuedhisnewtrackofthoughtwithgreatardour，andlostnotimeinbeggingGeorgeVendaleandMr。BintreytomeethiminCrippleCornerandsharehisconfidence。
　　"Beingallthreeassembledwithcloseddoors，"saidMr。Bintrey，addressingthenewpartnerontheoccasion，"Iwishtoobserve，beforeourfriend（andmyclient）entrustsuswithhisfurtherviews，thatIhaveendorsedwhatIunderstandfromhimtohavebeenyouradvice，Mr。Vendale，andwhatwouldbetheadviceofeverysensibleman。Ihavetoldhimthathepositivelymustkeephissecret。IhavespokenwithMrs。Goldstraw，bothinhispresenceandinhisabsence;andifanybodyistobetrusted（whichisaverylargeIF），Ithinksheistobetrustedtothatextent。Ihavepointedouttoourfriend（andmyclient），thattosetonfootrandominquirieswouldnotonlybetoraisetheDevil，inthelikenessofalltheswindlersinthekingdom，butwouldalsobetowastetheestate。Now，yousee，Mr。Vendale，ourfriend（andmyclient）doesnotdesiretowastetheestate，but，onthecontrary，desirestohusbanditforwhatheconsiders——butIcan’tsayIdo——
　　therightfulowner，ifsuchrightfulownershouldeverbefound。I
　　amverymuchmistakenifheeverwillbe，butnevermindthat。Mr。
　　WildingandIare，atleast，agreedthattheestateisnottobewasted。Now，IhaveyieldedtoMr。Wilding’sdesiretokeepanadvertisementatintervalsflowingthroughthenewspapers，cautiouslyinvitinganypersonwhomayknowanythingaboutthatadoptedinfant，takenfromtheFoundlingHospital，tocometomyoffice;andIhavepledgedmyselfthatsuchadvertisementshallregularlyappear。Ihavegatheredfromourfriend（andmyclient）
　　thatImeetyouhereto—daytotakehisinstructions，nottogivehimadvice。Iampreparedtoreceivehisinstructions，andtorespecthiswishes;butyouwillpleaseobservethatthisdoesnotimplymyapprovalofeitherasamatterofprofessionalopinion。"
　　ThusMr。Bintrey;talkingquiteismuchATWildingasTOVendale。
　　Andyet，inspiteofhiscareforhisclient，hewassoamusedbyhisclient’sQuixoticconduct，astoeyehimfromtimetotimewithtwinklingeyes，inthelightofahighlycomicalcuriosity。
　　"Nothing，"observedWilding，"canbeclearer。Ionlywishmyheadwereasclearasyours，Mr。Bintrey。"
　　"Ifyoufeelthatsinginginitcomingon，"hintedthelawyer，withanalarmedglance，"putitoff。——Imeantheinterview。"
　　"Notatall，Ithankyou，"saidWilding。"WhatwasIgoingto——"
　　"Don’texciteyourself，Mr。Wilding，"urgedthelawyer。
　　"No;IWASN’Tgoingto，"saidthewine—merchant。"Mr。BintreyandGeorgeVendale，wouldyouhaveanyhesitationorobjectiontobecomemyjointtrusteesandexecutors，orcanyouatonceconsent？"
　　"Iconsent，"repliedGeorgeVendale，readily。
　　"Iconsent，"saidBintrey，notsoreadily。
　　"Thankyouboth。Mr。Bintrey，myinstructionsformylastwillandtestamentareshortandplain。Perhapsyouwillnowhavethegoodnesstotakethemdown。Ileavethewholeofmyrealandpersonalestate，withoutanyexceptionorreservationwhatsoever，toyoutwo，myjointtrusteesandexecutors，intrusttopayoverthewholetothetrueWalterWilding，ifheshallbefoundandidentifiedwithintwoyearsafterthedayofmydeath。Failingthat，intrusttoyoutwotopayoverthewholeasabenefactionandlegacytotheFoundlingHospital。"
　　"Thoseareallyourinstructions，arethey，Mr。Wilding？"demandedBintrey，afterablanksilence，duringwhichnobodyhadlookedatanybody。