“‘Yes, sir; and who do you think I saw on board of the packet the other day—somebody that you know.’
“‘Ay, who?’
“‘Why Lady R—,’ replied I, ‘and that young gentleman who, I heard say, once lived with her as her servant.’
“‘Ay!’ said the old man, ‘indeed! then she has done justice at last. I’m glad on it, Harry, glad on it, for it’s a relief to my mind. I was bound to the secret, and have kept it; but when a man is on the brink of the grave, he does not like to have a secret like that upon his mind, and I’ve more than once talked to my daughter about—’
“‘What, aunt Green?’
“‘Yes, your aunt Green; but she would never listen to me. We both took our oath, and she said it was binding; besides, we were paid for it. Well, well, I thank God, for it’s a great load off my mind.’
“‘Yes, sir,’ replied I, ‘you need not keep the secret any longer now.’
“‘And how has he grown up?’ said the old man; ‘is he good-looking?’
“‘Very much so, sir,’ replied I, ‘and looks very much like a gentleman.’”
I could not help laughing at this part of Lionel’s story, although I could not but admit the truth. Lionel observed it, and said, “You cannot be surprised at my giving myself a good character, Miss Valerie, for, as they say in the kitchen, it’s all that a poor servant has to depend upon.”