“‘Yes, yes, who knows, boy,’ replied the old man, looking rather terrified; ‘but what shall I do?’
“‘I know what I would do,’ replied I. ‘I’d make a clean breast of it at once. I’d send for the minister and a magistrate, and state the whole story upon affidavit. Then you will feel happy again, and ease your mind, and not before.’
“‘Well, boy, I believe you are right, I’ll think about it. Leave me now.’
“‘Think about your own soul, sir—think of your own danger, and do not mind Lady R—. There can be but a bad reason for doing such an act of injustice. I will come again in an hour, sir, and then you will let me know your decision. Think about what the Bible says about those who defraud the widow and orphan. Good-bye for the present.’
“‘No, stop, boy, I’ve made up my mind. You may go to Mr Sewell, the clergyman, he often calls to see me, and I can speak to him. I’ll tell him.’
“I did not wait for the old man to alter his mind, but hastened as fast as I could to the parsonage-house, which was not four hundred yards distant. I went to the door and asked for Mr Sewell, who came out to me. I told him that old Roberts wanted to see him immediately, as he had an important confession to make.
“‘Is the old man going, then? I did not hear that he was any way dangerously ill?’
“‘No, sir, he is in his usual health, but he has something very heavy on his conscience, and he begs your presence immediately that he may reveal an important secret.’
“‘Well, my lad, go back to him and say that I will be there in two hours. You are his grandson, I believe?’
“‘I will go and tell him, sir,’ replied I, evading the last question.