THEOVERTURE
　　Dayofthemonthandyear，Novemberthethirtieth，onethousandeighthundredandthirty—five。LondonTimebythegreatclockofSaintPaul’s，tenatnight。AllthelesserLondonchurchesstraintheirmetallicthroats。Some，flippantlybeginbeforetheheavybellofthegreatcathedral;some，tardilybeginthree，four，halfadozen，strokesbehindit;allareinsufficientlynearaccord，toleavearesonanceintheair，asifthewingedfatherwhodevourshischildren，hadmadeasoundingsweepwithhisgiganticscytheinflyingoverthecity。
　　Whatisthisclocklowerthanmostoftherest，andnearertotheear，thatlagssofarbehindto—nightastostrikeintothevibrationalone？ThisistheclockoftheHospitalforFoundlingChildren。Timewas，whentheFoundlingswerereceivedwithoutquestioninacradleatthegate。Timeis，wheninquiriesaremaderespectingthem，andtheyaretakenasbyfavourfromthemotherswhorelinquishallnaturalknowledgeofthemandclaimtothemforevermore。
　　Themoonisatthefull，andthenightisfairwithlightclouds。
　　Thedayhasbeenotherwisethanfair，forslushandmud，thickenedwiththedroppingsofheavyfog，lieblackinthestreets。Theveiledladywhofluttersupanddownnearthepostern—gateoftheHospitalforFoundlingChildrenhasneedtobewellshodto—night。
　　Sheflutterstoandfro，avoidingthestandofhackney—coaches，andoftenpausingintheshadowofthewesternendofthegreatquadranglewall，withherfaceturnedtowardsthegate。Asaboveherthereisthepurityofthemoonlitsky，andbelowhertherearethedefilementsofthepavement，somayshe，haply，bedividedinhermindbetweentwovistasofreflectionorexperience。Asherfootprintscrossingandrecrossingoneanotherhavemadealabyrinthinthemire，somayhertrackinlifehaveinvolveditselfinanintricateandunravellabletangle。
　　Thepostern—gateoftheHospitalforFoundlingChildrenopens，andayoungwomancomesout。Theladystandsaside，observesclosely，seesthatthegateisquietlyclosedagainfromwithin，andfollowstheyoungwoman。
　　Twoorthreestreetshavebeentraversedinsilencebeforeshe，followingclosebehindtheobjectofherattention，stretchesoutherhandandtouchesher。Thentheyoungwomanstopsandlooksround，startled。
　　"Youtouchedmelastnight，and，whenIturnedmyhead，youwouldnotspeak。Whydoyoufollowmelikeasilentghost？"
　　"Itwasnot，"returnedthelady，inalowvoice，"thatIwouldnotspeak，butthatIcouldnotwhenItried。"
　　"Whatdoyouwantofme？Ihaveneverdoneyouanyharm？"
　　"Never。"
　　"DoIknowyou？"
　　"No。"
　　"Thenwhatcanyouwantofme？"
　　"Herearetwoguineasinthispaper。Takemypoorlittlepresent，andIwilltellyou。"
　　Intotheyoungwoman’sface，whichishonestandcomely，comesaflushasshereplies："ThereisneithergrownpersonnorchildinallthelargeestablishmentthatIbelongto，whohasn’tagoodwordforSally。IamSally。CouldIbesowellthoughtof，ifIwastobebought？"
　　"Idonotmeantobuyyou;Imeanonlytorewardyouveryslightly。"
　　Sallyfirmly，butnotungently，closesandputsbacktheofferinghand。"IfthereisanythingIcandoforyou，ma’am，thatIwillnotdoforitsownsake，youaremuchmistakeninmeifyouthinkthatIwilldoitformoney。Whatisityouwant？"
　　"YouareoneofthenursesorattendantsattheHospital;Isawyouleaveto—nightandlastnight。"
　　"Yes，Iam。IamSally。"
　　"Thereisapleasantpatienceinyourfacewhichmakesmebelievethatveryyoungchildrenwouldtakereadilytoyou。"
　　"Godbless’em！Sotheydo。"
　　Theladyliftsherveil，andshowsafacenoolderthanthenurse’s。
　　Afacefarmorerefinedandcapablethanhers，butwildandwornwithsorrow。
　　"Iamthemiserablemotherofababylatelyreceivedunderyourcare。Ihaveaprayertomaketoyou。"
　　Instinctivelyrespectingtheconfidencewhichhasdrawnasidetheveil，Sally——whosewaysareallwaysofsimplicityandspontaneity——
　　replacesit，andbeginstocry。
　　"Youwilllistentomyprayer？"theladyurges。"YouwillnotbedeaftotheagonisedentreatyofsuchabrokensuppliantasIam？"
　　"Odear，dear，dear！"criesSally。"WhatshallIsay，orcansay！
　　Don’ttalkofprayers。PrayersaretobeputuptotheGoodFatherofAll，andnottonursesandsuch。Andthere！Iamonlytoholdmyplaceforhalfayearlonger，tillanotheryoungwomancanbetraineduptoit。Iamgoingtobemarried。Ishouldn’thavebeenoutlastnight，andIshouldn’thavebeenoutto—night，butthatmyDick（heistheyoungmanIamgoingtobemarriedto）liesill，andIhelphismotherandsistertowatchhim。Don’ttakeonso，don’ttakeonso！"
　　"OgoodSally，dearSally，"moansthelady，catchingatherdressentreatingly。"Asyouarehopeful，andIamhopeless;asafairwayinlifeisbeforeyou，whichcannever，never，bebeforeme;asyoucanaspiretobecomearespectedwife，andasyoucanaspiretobecomeaproudmother，asyouarealivinglovingwoman，andmustdie;forGOD’Ssakehearmydistractedpetition！"
　　"Deary，deary，dearyME！"criesSally，herdesperationculminatinginthepronoun，"whatamIevertodo？Andthere！Seehowyouturnmyownwordsbackuponme。ItellyouIamgoingtobemarried，onpurposetomakeitclearertoyouthatIamgoingtoleave，andthereforecouldn’thelpyouifIwould，PoorThing，andyoumakeitseemtomyownselfasifIwascruelingoingtobemarriedandnothelpingyou。Itain’tkind。Now，isitkind，PoorThing？"
　　"Sally！Hearme，mydear。Myentreatyisfornohelpinthefuture。Itappliestowhatispast。Itisonlytobetoldintwowords。"
　　"There！Thisisworseandworse，"criesSally，"supposingthatI
　　understandwhattwowordsyoumean。"
　　"Youdounderstand。Whatarethenamestheyhavegivenmypoorbaby？Iasknomorethanthat。Ihavereadofthecustomsoftheplace。Hehasbeenchristenedinthechapel，andregisteredbysomesurnameinthebook。HewasreceivedlastMondayevening。Whathavetheycalledhim？"
　　Downuponherkneesinthefoulmudoftheby—wayintowhichtheyhavestrayed——anemptystreetwithoutathoroughfaregivingonthedarkgardensoftheHospital——theladywoulddropinherpassionateentreaty，butthatSallypreventsher。
　　"Don’t！Don’t！YoumakemefeelasifIwassettingmyselfuptobegood。Letmelookinyourprettyfaceagain。Putyourtwohandsinmine。Now，promise。Youwillneveraskmeanythingmorethanthetwowords？"
　　"Never！Never！"
　　"Youwillneverputthemtoabaduse，ifIsaythem？"
　　"Never！Never！"
　　"WalterWilding。"
　　Theladylaysherfaceuponthenurse’sbreast，drawshercloseinherembracewithbotharms，murmursablessingandthewords，"Kisshimforme！"andisgone。
　　Dayofthemonthandyear，thefirstSundayinOctober，onethousandeighthundredandforty—seven。LondonTimebythegreatclockofSaintPaul’s，half—pastoneintheafternoon。TheclockoftheHospitalforFoundlingChildreniswellupwiththeCathedralto—
　　day。Serviceinthechapelisover，andtheFoundlingchildrenareatdinner。
　　Therearenumerouslookers—onatthedinner，asthecustomis。
　　Therearetwoorthreegovernors，wholefamiliesfromthecongregation，smallergroupsofbothsexes，individualstragglersofvariousdegrees。Thebrightautumnalsunstrikesfreshlyintothewards;andtheheavy—framedwindowsthroughwhichitshines，andthepanelledwallsonwhichitstrikes，aresuchwindowsandsuchwallsaspervadeHogarth’spictures。Thegirls’refectory（includingthatoftheyoungerchildren）istheprincipalattraction。Neatattendantssilentlyglideabouttheorderlyandsilenttables;thelookers—onmoveorstopasthefancytakesthem;commentsinwhispersonfacesuchanumberfromsuchawindowarenotunfrequent;manyofthefacesareofacharactertofixattention。
　　Someofthevisitorsfromtheoutsidepublicareaccustomedvisitors。Theyhaveestablishedaspeakingacquaintancewiththeoccupantsofparticularseatsatthetables，andhaltatthosepointstobenddownandsayawordortwo。Itisnodisparagementtotheirkindnessthatthosepointsaregenerallypointswherepersonalattractionsare。Themonotonyofthelongspaciousroomsandthedoublelinesoffacesisagreeablyrelievedbytheseincidents，althoughsoslight。
　　Aveiledlady，whohasnocompanion，goesamongthecompany。Itwouldseemthatcuriosityandopportunityhaveneverbroughthertherebefore。Shehastheairofbeingalittletroubledbythesight，and，asshegoesthelengthofthetables，itiswithahesitatingstepandanuneasymanner。Atlengthshecomestotherefectoryoftheboys。Theyaresomuchlesspopularthanthegirlsthatitisbareofvisitorswhenshelooksinatthedoorway。
　　Butjustwithinthedoorway，chancestostand，inspecting，anelderlyfemaleattendant：someorderofmatronorhousekeeper。Towhomtheladyaddressesnaturalquestions：As，howmanyboys？Atwhatagearetheyusuallyputoutinlife？Dotheyoftentakeafancytothesea？So，lowerandlowerintoneuntiltheladyputsthequestion："WhichisWalterWilding？"
　　Attendant’sheadshaken。Againsttherules。
　　"YouknowwhichisWalterWilding？"
　　Sokeenlydoestheattendantfeeltheclosenesswithwhichthelady’seyesexamineherface，thatshekeepsherowneyesfastuponthefloor，lestbywanderingintherightdirectiontheyshouldbetrayher。
　　"IknowwhichisWalterWilding，butitisnotmyplace，ma’am，totellnamestovisitors。"
　　"Butyoucanshowmewithouttellingme。"
　　Thelady’shandmovesquietlytotheattendant’shand。Pauseandsilence。
　　"Iamgoingtopassroundthetables，"saysthelady’sinterlocutor，withoutseemingtoaddressher。"Followmewithyoureyes。TheboythatIstopatandspeakto，willnotmattertoyou。ButtheboythatItouch，willbeWalterWilding。Saynothingmoretome，andmovealittleaway。"
　　Quicklyactingonthehint，theladypassesonintotheroom，andlooksabouther。Afterafewmoments，theattendant，inastaidofficialway，walksdownoutsidethelineoftablescommencingonherlefthand。Shegoesthewholelengthoftheline，turns，andcomesbackontheinside。Veryslightlyglancinginthelady’sdirection，shestops，bendsforward，andspeaks。Theboywhomsheaddresses，liftshisheadandreplies。Goodhumouredlyandeasily，asshelistenstowhathesays，shelaysherhandupontheshoulderofthenextboyonhisright。Thattheactionmaybewellnoted，shekeepsherhandontheshoulderwhilespeakinginreturn，andpatsittwiceorthricebeforemovingaway。Shecompleteshertourofthetables，touchingnooneelse，andpassesoutbyadoorattheoppositeendofthelongroom。
　　Dinnerisdone，andthelady，too，walksdownoutsidethelineoftablescommencingonherlefthand，goesthewholelengthoftheline，turns，andcomesbackontheinside。Otherpeoplehavestrolledin，fortunatelyforher，andstandsprinkledabout。Sheliftsherveil，and，stoppingatthetouchedboy，askshowoldheis？
　　"Iamtwelve，ma’am，"heanswers，withhisbrighteyesfixedonhers。
　　"Areyouwellandhappy？"
　　"Yes，ma’am。"
　　"Mayyoutakethesesweetmeatsfrommyhand？"
　　"Ifyoupleasetogivethemtome。"
　　Instoopinglowforthepurpose，theladytouchestheboy’sfacewithherforeheadandwithherhair。Then，loweringherveilagain，shepasseson，andpassesoutwithoutlookingback。
　　ACTI——THECURTAINRISES
　　Inacourt—yardintheCityofLondon，whichwasNoThoroughfareeitherforvehiclesorfoot—passengers;acourt—yarddivergingfromasteep，aslippery，andawindingstreetconnectingTowerStreetwiththeMiddlesexshoreoftheThames;stoodtheplaceofbusinessofWilding&Co。，WineMerchants。Probablyasajocoseacknowledgmentoftheobstructivecharacterofthismainapproach，thepointnearesttoitsbaseatwhichonecouldtaketheriver（ifsoinodorouslyminded）boretheappellationBreak—Neck—Stairs。Thecourt—yarditselfhadlikewisebeendescriptivelyentitledinoldtime，CrippleCorner。
　　Yearsbeforetheyearonethousandeighthundredandsixty—one，peoplehadleftofftakingboatatBreak—Neck—Stairs，andwatermenhadceasedtoplythere。Theslimylittlecausewayhaddroppedintotheriverbyaslowprocessofsuicide，andtwoorthreestumpsofpilesandarustyironmooring—ringwereallthatremainedofthedepartedBreak—Neckglories。Sometimes，indeed，aladencoalbargewouldbumpitselfintotheplace，andcertainlaboriousheavers，seeminglymud—engendered，wouldarise，deliverthecargointheneighbourhood，shoveoff，andvanish;butatmosttimestheonlycommerceofBreak—Neck—Stairsaroseoutoftheconveyanceofcasksandbottles，bothfullandempty，bothtoandfromthecellarsofWilding&Co。，WineMerchants。Eventhatcommercewasbutoccasional，andthroughthree—fourthsofitsrisingtidesthedirtyindecorousdrabofariverwouldcomesolitarilyoozingandlappingattherustyring，asifithadheardoftheDogeandtheAdriatic，andwantedtobemarriedtothegreatconserverofitsfilthiness，theRightHonourabletheLordMayor。
　　Sometwohundredandfiftyyardsontheright，uptheoppositehill（approachingitfromthelowgroundofBreak—Neck—Stairs）wasCrippleCorner。TherewasapumpinCrippleCorner，therewasatreeinCrippleCorner。AllCrippleCornerbelongedtoWildingandCo。，WineMerchants。Theircellarsburrowedunderit，theirmansiontoweredoverit。ItreallyhadbeenamansioninthedayswhenmerchantsinhabitedtheCity，andhadaceremonioussheltertothedoorwaywithoutvisiblesupport，likethesounding—boardoveranoldpulpit。Ithadalsoanumberoflongnarrowstripsofwindow，sodisposedinitsgravebrickfrontastorenderitsymmetricallyugly。Ithadalso，onitsroof，acupolawithabellinit。
　　"Whenamanatfive—and—twentycanputhishaton，andcansay’thishatcoverstheownerofthispropertyandofthebusinesswhichistransactedonthisproperty，’Iconsider，Mr。Bintrey，that，withoutbeingboastful，hemaybeallowedtobedeeplythankful。Idon’tknowhowitmayappeartoyou，butsoitappearstome。"
　　ThusMr。WalterWildingtohismanoflaw，inhisowncounting—
　　house;takinghishatdownfromitspegtosuittheactiontotheword，andhangingitupagainwhenhehaddoneso，nottooverstepthemodestyofnature。
　　Aninnocent，open—speaking，unused—lookingman，Mr。WalterWilding，witharemarkablypinkandwhitecomplexion，andafiguremuchtoobulkyforsoyoungaman，thoughofagoodstature。Withcrispycurlingbrownhair，andamiablebrightblueeyes。Anextremelycommunicativeman：amanwithwhomloquacitywastheirrestrainableoutpouringofcontentmentandgratitude。Mr。Bintrey，ontheotherhand，acautiousman，withtwinklingbeadsofeyesinalargeoverhangingbaldhead，whoinwardlybutintenselyenjoyedthecomicalityofopennessofspeech，orhand，orheart。
　　"Yes，"saidMr。Bintrey。"Yes。Ha，ha！"
　　Adecanter，twowine—glasses，andaplateofbiscuits，stoodonthedesk。
　　"Youlikethisforty—fiveyearoldport—wine？"saidMr。Wilding。
　　"Likeit？"repeatedMr。Bintrey。"Rather，sir！"
　　"It’sfromthebestcornerofourbestforty—fiveyearoldbin，"
　　saidMr。Wilding。
　　"Thankyou，sir，"saidMr。Bintrey。"It’smostexcellent。"
　　Helaughedagain，ashehelduphisglassandogledit，atthehighlyludicrousideaofgivingawaysuchwine。
　　"Andnow，"saidWilding，withachildishenjoymentinthediscussionofaffairs，"Ithinkwehavegoteverythingstraight，Mr。Bintrey。"
　　"Everythingstraight，"saidBintrey。
　　"Apartnersecured——"
　　"Partnersecured，"saidBintrey。
　　"Ahousekeeperadvertisedfor——"
　　"Housekeeperadvertisedfor，"saidBintrey，"’applypersonallyatCrippleCorner，GreatTowerStreet，fromtentotwelve’——to—morrow，bythebye。"
　　"Mylatedearmother’saffairswoundup——"
　　"Woundup，"saidBintrey。
　　"Andallchargespaid。"
　　"Andallchargespaid，"saidBintrey，withachuckle：probablyoccasionedbythedrollcircumstancethattheyhadbeenpaidwithoutahaggle。
　　"Thementionofmylatedearmother，"Mr。Wildingcontinued，hiseyesfillingwithtearsandhispocket—handkerchiefdryingthem，"unmansmestill，Mr。Bintrey。YouknowhowIlovedher;you（herlawyer）knowhowshelovedme。Theutmostloveofmotherandchildwascherishedbetweenus，andweneverexperiencedonemoment’sdivisionorunhappinessfromthetimewhenshetookmeunderhercare。Thirteenyearsinall！Thirteenyearsundermylatedearmother’scare，Mr。Bintrey，andeightofthemherconfidentiallyacknowledgedson！Youknowthestory，Mr。Bintrey，whobutyou，sir！"Mr。Wildingsobbedanddriedhiseyes，withoutattemptatconcealment，duringtheseremarks。
　　Mr。Bintreyenjoyedhiscomicalport，andsaid，afterrollingitinhismouth："Iknowthestory。"
　　"Mylatedearmother，Mr。Bintrey，"pursuedthewine—merchant，"hadbeendeeplydeceived，andhadcruellysuffered。Butonthatsubjectmylatedearmother’slipswereforeversealed。Bywhomdeceived，orunderwhatcircumstances，Heavenonlyknows。Mylatedearmotherneverbetrayedherbetrayer。"
　　"Shehadmadeuphermind，"saidMr。Bintrey，againturninghiswineonhispalate，"andshecouldholdherpeace。"Anamusedtwinkleinhiseyesprettyplainlyadded——"AdevilishdealbetterthanYOUeverwill！"
　　"’Honour，’"saidMr。Wilding，sobbingashequotedfromtheCommandments，"’thyfatherandthymother，thatthydaysmaybelongintheland。’WhenIwasintheFoundling，Mr。Bintrey，Iwasatsuchalosshowtodoit，thatIapprehendedmydayswouldbeshortintheland。ButIafterwardscametohonourmymotherdeeply，profoundly。AndIhonourandreverehermemory。Forsevenhappyyears，Mr。Bintrey，"pursuedWilding，stillwiththesameinnocentcatchinginhisbreath，andthesameunabashedtears，"didmyexcellentmotherarticlemetomypredecessorsinthisbusiness，PebblesonNephew。HeraffectionateforethoughtlikewiseapprenticedmetotheVintners’Company，andmademeintimeafreeVintner，and——and——everythingelsethatthebestofmotherscoulddesire。
　　WhenIcameofage，shebestowedherinheritedshareinthisbusinessuponme;itwashermoneythatafterwardsboughtoutPebblesonNephew，andpaintedinWildingandCo。;itwasshewholeftmeeverythingshepossessed，butthemourningringyouwear。
　　Andyet，Mr。Bintrey，"withafreshburstofhonestaffection，"sheisnomore。ItislittleoverhalfayearsinceshecameintotheCornertoreadonthatdoor—postwithherowneyes，WILDINGANDCO。，WINEMERCHANTS。Andyetsheisnomore！"
　　"Sad。Butthecommonlot，Mr。Wilding，"observedBintrey。"Atsometimeorotherwemustallbenomore。"Heplacedtheforty—fiveyearoldport—wineintheuniversalcondition，witharelishingsigh。
　　"Sonow，Mr。Bintrey，"pursuedWilding，puttingawayhispocket—
　　handkerchief，andsmoothinghiseyelidswithhisfingers，"nowthatIcannolongershowmyloveandhonourforthedearparenttowhommyheartwasmysteriouslyturnedbyNaturewhenshefirstspoketome，astrangelady，IsittingatourSundaydinner—tableintheFoundling，IcanatleastshowthatIamnotashamedofhavingbeenaFoundling，andthatI，whoneverknewafatherofmyown，wishtobeafathertoallinmyemployment。Therefore，"continuedWilding，becomingenthusiasticinhisloquacity，"therefore，Iwantathoroughlygoodhousekeepertoundertakethisdwelling—houseofWildingandCo。，WineMerchants，CrippleCorner，sothatImayrestoreinitsomeoftheoldrelationsbetwixtemployerandemployed！SothatImayliveinitonthespotwheremymoneyismade！SothatImaydailysitattheheadofthetableatwhichthepeopleinmyemploymenteattogether，andmayeatofthesameroastandboiled，anddrinkofthesamebeer！Sothatthepeopleinmyemploymentmaylodgeunderthesameroofwithme！Sothatwemayoneandall——Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Bintrey，butthatoldsinginginmyheadhassuddenlycomeon，andIshallfeelobligedifyouwillleadmetothepump。"
　　Alarmedbytheexcessivepinknessofhisclient，Mr。Bintreylostnotamomentinleadinghimforthintothecourt—yard。Itwaseasilydone;forthecounting—houseinwhichtheytalkedtogetheropenedontoit，atonesideofthedwelling—house。Theretheattorneypumpedwithawill，obedienttoasignfromtheclient，andtheclientlavedhisheadandfacewithbothhands，andtookaheartydrink。Aftertheseremedies，hedeclaredhimselfmuchbetter。
　　"Don’tletyourgoodfeelingsexciteyou，"saidBintrey，astheyreturnedtothecounting—house，andMr。Wildingdriedhimselfonajack—towelbehindaninnerdoor。
　　"No，no。Iwon’t，"hereturned，lookingoutofthetowel。"I
　　won’t。Ihavenotbeenconfused，haveI？"
　　"Notatall。Perfectlyclear。"
　　"WheredidIleaveoff，Mr。Bintrey？"
　　"Well，youleftoff——butIwouldn’texcitemyself，ifIwasyou，bytakingitupagainjustyet。"
　　"I’lltakecare。I’lltakecare。Thesinginginmyheadcameonatwhere，Mr。Bintrey？"
　　"Atroast，andboiled，andbeer，"answeredthelawyer，——"promptinglodgingunderthesameroof——andoneandall——"
　　"Ah！Andoneandallsingingintheheadtogether——"
　　"Doyouknow，IreallyWOULDNOTletmygoodfeelingsexciteme，ifIwasyou，"hintedthelawyeragain，anxiously。"Trysomemorepump。"
　　"Nooccasion，nooccasion。Allright，Mr。Bintrey。Andoneandallformingakindoffamily！Yousee，Mr。Bintrey，Iwasnotusedinmychildhoodtothatsortofindividualexistencewhichmostindividualshaveled，moreorless，intheirchildhood。AfterthattimeIbecameabsorbedinmylatedearmother。Havinglosther，I
　　findthatIammorefitforbeingoneofabodythanonebymyselfone。Tobethat，andatthesametimetodomydutytothosedependentonme，andattachthemtome，hasapatriarchalandpleasantairaboutit。Idon’tknowhowitmayappeartoyou，MrBintrey，butsoitappearstome。"
　　"ItisnotIwhoamall—importantinthecase，butyou，"returnedBintrey。"Consequently，howitmayappeartomeisofverysmallimportance。"
　　"Itappearstome，"saidMr。Wilding，inaglow，"hopeful，useful，delightful！"
　　"Doyouknow，"hintedthelawyeragain，"Ireallywouldnotex—"
　　"Iamnotgoingto。Thenthere’sHandel。"
　　"There’swho？"askedBintrey。
　　"Handel，Mozart，Haydn，Kent，Purcell，DoctorArne，Greene，Mendelssohn。Iknowthechorusestothoseanthemsbyheart。
　　FoundlingChapelCollection。Whyshouldn’twelearnthemtogether？"
　　"Wholearnthemtogether？"askedthelawyer，rathershortly。
　　"Employerandemployed。"
　　"Ay，ay，"returnedBintrey，mollified;asifhehadhalfexpectedtheanswertobe，Lawyerandclient。"That’sanotherthing。"
　　"Notanotherthing，Mr。Bintrey！Thesamething。Apartofthebondamongus。WewillformaChoirinsomequietchurchneartheCornerhere，and，havingsungtogetherofaSundaywitharelish，wewillcomehomeandtakeanearlydinnertogetherwitharelish。TheobjectthatIhaveatheartnowis，togetthissystemwellinactionwithoutdelay，sothatmynewpartnermayfinditfoundedwhenheentersonhispartnership。"
　　"Allgoodbewithit！"exclaimedBintrey，rising。"Mayitprosper！
　　IsJoeyLadletotakeashareinHandel，Mozart，Haydn，Kent，Purcell，DoctorArne，Greene，andMendelssohn？
　　"Ihopeso。"
　　"Iwishthemallwelloutofit，"returnedBintrey，withmuchheartiness。"Good—bye，sir。"
　　Theyshookhandsandparted。Then（firstknockingwithhisknucklesforleave）enteredtoMr。Wildingfromadoorofcommunicationbetweenhisprivatecounting—houseandthatinwhichhisclerkssat，theHeadCellarmanofthecellarsofWildingandCo。，WineMerchants，anderstHeadCellarmanofthecellarsofPebblesonNephew。TheJoeyLadleinquestion。Aslowandponderousman，ofthedraymanorderofhumanarchitecture，dressedinacorrugatedsuitandbibbedapron，apparentlyacompositeofdoor—matandrhinoceros—hide。
　　"Respectingthissameboardingandlodging，YoungMasterWilding，"
　　saidhe。
　　"Yes，Joey？"
　　"Speakingformyself，YoungMasterWilding——andIneverdidspeakandIneverdospeakfornooneelse——Idon’twantnoboardingnoryetnolodging。Butifyouwishtoboardmeandtolodgeme，takeme。Icanpeckaswellasmostmen。WhereIpeckain’tsohighaobjectwithmeasWhatIpeck。NorevensohighaobjectwithmeasHowMuchIpeck。Isalltoliveinthehouse，YoungMasterWilding？
　　Thetwoothercellarmen，thethreeporters，thetwo’prentices，andtheoddmen？"
　　"Yes。Ihopeweshallallbeanunitedfamily，Joey。"
　　"Ah！"saidJoey。"Ihopetheymaybe。"
　　"They？Rathersaywe，Joey。"
　　JoeyLadleshookhisheld。"Don’tlooktometomakeweonit，YoungMasterWilding，notatmytimeoflifeandunderthecircumstanceswhichhasformedmydisposition。IhavesaidtoPebblesonNephewmanyatime，whentheyhavesaidtome，’Putalivelierfaceuponit，Joey’——Ihavesaidtothem，’Gentlemen，itisallwerywellforyouthathasbeenaccustomedtotakeyourwineintoyoursystemsbytheconwivialchannelofyourthrottles，toputalivelyfaceuponit;but，’Isays，’IhavebeenaccustomedtotakeMYwineinattheporesoftheskin，and，tookthatway，itactsdifferent。Itactsdepressing。It’sonething，gentlemen，’IsaystoPebblesonNephew，’tochargeyourglassesinadining—roomwithaHipHurrahandaJollyCompanionsEveryOne，andit’sanotherthingtobechargedyourself，throughthepores，inalowdarkcellarandamouldyatmosphere。Itmakesallthedifferencebetwixtbubblesandwapours，’ItellsPebblesonNephew。Andsoitdo。I’vebeenacellarmanmylifethrough，withmymindfullygiventothebusiness。
　　What’stheconsequence？I’masmuddledamanaslives——youwon’tfindamuddledermanthanme——noryetyouwon’tfindmyequalinmolloncolly。SingofFillingthebumperfair，Everydropyousprinkle，O’erthebrowofcare，Smoothsawayawrinkle？Yes。
　　P’rapsso。Buttryfillingyourselfthroughthepores，underground，whenyoudon’twanttoit！"
　　"Iamsorrytohearthis，Joey。Ihadeventhoughtthatyoumightjoinasinging—classinthehouse。"
　　"Me，sir？No，no，YoungMasterWilding，youwon’tcatchJoeyLadlemuddlingtheArmony。Apecking—machine，sir，isallthatIamcapableofprovingmyself，outofmycellars;butthatyou’rewelcometo，ifyouthinkitisworthyourwhiletokeepsuchathingonyourpremises。"
　　"Ido，Joey。"
　　"Saynomore，sir。TheBusiness’swordismylaw。Andyou’reagoingtotakeYoungMasterGeorgeVendalepartnerintotheoldBusiness？"
　　"Iam，Joey。"
　　"Morechanges，yousee！Butdon’tchangethenameoftheFirmagain。Don’tdoit，YoungMasterWilding。ItwasbadluckenoughtomakeitYourselfandCo。BetterbyfarhaveleftitPebblesonNephewthatgoodluckalwaysstuckto。Youshouldneverchangeluckwhenit’sgood，sir。"
　　"Atallevents，IhavenointentionofchangingthenameoftheHouseagain，Joey。"
　　"Gladtohearit，andwishyougood—day，YoungMasterWilding。Butyouhadbetterbyhalf，"mutteredJoeyLadleinaudibly，asheclosedthedoorandshookhishead，"haveletthenamealonefromthefirst。Youhadbetterbyhalfhavefollowedtheluckinsteadofcrossingit。"
　　ENTERTHEHOUSEKEEPER
　　Thewinemerchantsatinhisdining—roomnextmorning，toreceivethepersonalapplicantsforthevacantpostinhisestablishment。
　　Itwasanold—fashionedwainscotedroom;thepanelsornamentedwithfestoonsofflowerscarvedinwood;withanoakenfloor，awell—wornTurkeycarpet，anddarkmahoganyfurniture，allofwhichhadseenserviceandpolishunderPebblesonNephew。Thegreatsideboardhadassistedatmanybusiness—dinnersgivenbyPebblesonNephewtotheirconnection，ontheprincipleofthrowingspratsoverboardtocatchwhales;andPebblesonNephew’scomprehensivethree—sidedplate—
　　warmer，madetofitthewholefrontofthelargefireplace，keptwatchbeneathitoverasarcophagus—shapedcellaretthathadinitstimeheldmanyadozenofPebblesonNephew’swine。Butthelittlerubicundoldbachelorwithapigtail，whoseportraitwasoverthesideboard（andwhocouldeasilybeidentifiedasdecidedlyPebblesonanddecidedlynotNephew），hadretiredintoanothersarcophagus，andtheplate—warmerhadgrownascoldashe。So，thegoldenandblackgriffinsthatsupportedthecandelabra，withblackballsintheirmouthsattheendofgildedchains，lookedasifintheiroldagetheyhadlostallheartforplayingatball，andweredolefullyexhibitingtheirchainsintheMissionarylineofinquiry，whethertheyhadnotearnedemancipationbythistime，andwerenotgriffinsandbrothers。
　　SuchaColumbusofamorningwasthesummermorning，thatitdiscoveredCrippleCorner。Thelightandwarmthpiercedinattheopenwindows，andirradiatedthepictureofaladyhangingoverthechimney—piece，theonlyotherdecorationofthewalls。
　　"Mymotheratfive—and—twenty，"saidMr。Wildingtohimself，ashiseyesenthusiasticallyfollowedthelighttotheportrait’sface，"I
　　hanguphere，inorderthatvisitorsmayadmiremymotherinthebloomofheryouthandbeauty。MymotheratfiftyIhangintheseclusionofmyownchamber，asaremembrancesacredtome。O！
　　It’syou，Jarvis！"
　　Theselatterwordsheaddressedtoaclerkwhohadtappedatthedoor，andnowlookedin。
　　"Yes，sir。Imerelywishedtomentionthatit’sgoneten，sir，andthatthereareseveralfemalesintheCounting—house。"
　　"Dearme！"saidthewine—merchant，deepeninginthepinkofhiscomplexionandwhiteninginthewhite，"arethereseveral？Somanyasseveral？Ihadbetterbeginbeforetherearemore。I’llseethemonebyone，Jarvis，intheorderoftheirarrival。"
　　Hastilyentrenchinghimselfinhiseasy—chairatthetablebehindagreatinkstand，havingfirstplacedachairontheothersideofthetableoppositehisownseat，Mr。Wildingenteredonhistaskwithconsiderabletrepidation。
　　Heranthegauntletthatmustberunonanysuchoccasion。Thereweretheusualspeciesofprofoundlyunsympatheticwomen，andtheusualspeciesofmuchtoosympatheticwomen。Therewerebuccaneeringwidowswhocametoseizehim，andwhogripedumbrellasundertheirarms，asifeachumbrellawerehe，andeachgriperhadgothim。Thereweretoweringmaidenladieswhohadseenbetterdays，andwhocamearmedwithclericaltestimonialstotheirtheology，asifhewereSaintPeterwithhiskeys。Thereweregentlemaidenladieswhocametomarryhim。Therewereprofessionalhousekeepers，likenon—commissionedofficers，whoputhimthroughhisdomesticexercise，insteadofsubmittingthemselvestocatechism。Therewerelanguidinvalids，towhomsalarywasnotsomuchanobjectasthecomfortsofaprivatehospital。Thereweresensitivecreatureswhoburstintotearsonbeingaddressed，andhadtoberestoredwithglassesofcoldwater。Thereweresomerespondentswhocametwotogether，ahighlypromisingoneandawhollyunpromisingone：ofwhomthepromisingoneansweredallquestionscharmingly，untilitwouldatlastappearthatshewasnotacandidateatall，butonlythefriendoftheunpromisingone，whohadgloweredinabsolutesilenceandapparentinjury。
　　Atlast，whenthegoodwine—merchant’ssimpleheartwasfailinghim，thereenteredanapplicantquitedifferentfromalltherest。A
　　woman，perhapsfifty，butlookingyounger，withafaceremarkableforplacidcheerfulness，andamannernolessremarkableforitsquietexpressionofequabilityoftemper。Nothinginherdresscouldhavebeenchangedtoheradvantage。Nothinginthenoiselessself—possessionofhermannercouldhavebeenchangedtoheradvantage。Nothingcouldhavebeeninbetterunisonwithboth，thanhervoicewhensheansweredthequestion："WhatnameshallIhavethepleasureofnotingdown？"withthewords，"MynameisSarahGoldstraw。Mrs。Goldstraw。Myhusbandhasbeendeadmanyyears，andwehadnofamily。"
　　Half—a—dozenquestionshadscarcelyextractedasmuchtothepurposefromanyoneelse。ThevoicedweltsoagreeablyonMr。Wilding’searashemadehisnote，thathewasratherlongaboutit。Whenhelookedupagain，Mrs。Goldstraw’sglancehadnaturallygoneroundtheroom，andnowreturnedtohimfromthechimney—piece。Itsexpressionwasoneoffrankreadinesstobequestioned，andtoanswerstraight。
　　"Youwillexcusemyaskingyouafewquestions？"saidthemodestwine—merchant。
　　"O，surely，sir。OrIshouldhavenobusinesshere。"
　　"Haveyoufilledthestationofhousekeeperbefore？"
　　"Onlyonce。Ihavelivedwiththesamewidowladyfortwelveyears。
　　EversinceIlostmyhusband。Shewasaninvalid，andislatelydead：whichistheoccasionofmynowwearingblack。"
　　"Idonotdoubtthatshehasleftyouthebestcredentials？"saidMr。Wilding。
　　"IhopeImaysay，theverybest。Ithoughtitwouldsavetrouble，sir，ifIwrotedownthenameandaddressofherrepresentatives，andbroughtitwithme。"Layingacardonthetable。
　　"Yousingularlyremindme，Mrs。Goldstraw，"saidWilding，takingthecardbesidehim，"ofamannerandtoneofvoicethatIwasonceacquaintedwith。Notofanindividual——Ifeelsureofthat，thoughIcannotrecallwhatitisIhaveinmymind——butofageneralbearing。Ioughttoadd，itwasakindandpleasantone。"
　　Shesmiled，assherejoined："Atleast，Iamverygladofthat，sir。"
　　"Yes，"saidthewine—merchant，thoughtfullyrepeatinghislastphrase，withamomentaryglanceathisfuturehousekeeper，"itwasakindandpleasantone。ButthatisthemostIcanmakeofit。
　　Memoryissometimeslikeahalf—forgottendream。Idon’tknowhowitmayappeartoyou，Mrs。Goldstraw，butsoitappearstome。"
　　ProbablyitappearedtoMrs。Goldstrawinasimilarlight，forshequietlyassentedtotheproposition。Mr。Wildingthenofferedtoputhimselfatonceincommunicationwiththegentlemennameduponthecard：afirmofproctorsinDoctors’Commons。Tothis，Mrs。
　　Goldstrawthankfullyassented。Doctors’Commonsnotbeingfaroff，Mr。WildingsuggestedthefeasibilityofMrs。Goldstraw’slookinginagain，sayinthreehours’time。Mrs。Goldstrawreadilyundertooktodoso。Infine，theresultofMr。Wilding’sinquiriesbeingeminentlysatisfactory，Mrs。Goldstrawwasthatafternoonengaged（onherownperfectlyfairterms）tocometo—morrowandsetupherrestashousekeeperinCrippleCorner。
　　THEHOUSEKEEPERSPEAKS
　　OnthenextdayMrs。Goldstrawarrived，toenteronherdomesticduties。
　　Havingsettledherselfinherownroom，withouttroublingtheservants，andwithoutwastingtime，thenewhousekeeperannouncedherselfaswaitingtobefavouredwithanyinstructionswhichhermastermightwishtogiveher。Thewine—merchantreceivedMrs。
　　Goldstrawinthedining—room，inwhichhehadseenheronthepreviousday;and，theusualpreliminarycivilitieshavingpassedoneitherside，thetwosatdowntotakecounseltogetherontheaffairsofthehouse。
　　"Aboutthemeals，sir？"saidMrs。Goldstraw。"HaveIalarge，orasmall，numbertoprovidefor？"
　　"IfIcancarryoutacertainold—fashionedplanofmine，"repliedMr。Wilding，"youwillhavealargenumbertoprovidefor。Iamalonelysingleman，Mrs。Goldstraw;andIhopetolivewithallthepersonsinmyemploymentasiftheyweremembersofmyfamily。
　　Untilthattimecomes，youwillonlyhaveme，andthenewpartnerwhomIexpectimmediately，toprovidefor。Whatmypartner’shabitsmaybe，Icannotyetsay。ButImaydescribemyselfasamanofregularhours，withaninvariableappetitethatyoumaydependupontoanounce。"
　　"Aboutbreakfast，sir？"askedMrs。Goldstraw。"Isthereanythingparticular——？"
　　Shehesitated，andleftthesentenceunfinished。Hereyesturnedslowlyawayfromhermaster，andlookedtowardsthechimney—piece。
　　Ifshehadbeenalessexcellentandexperiencedhousekeeper，Mr。
　　Wildingmighthavefanciedthatherattentionwasbeginningtowanderattheveryoutsetoftheinterview。
　　"Eighto’clockismybreakfast—hour，"heresumed。"Itisoneofmyvirtuestobenevertiredofbroiledbacon，anditisoneofmyvicestobehabituallysuspiciousofthefreshnessofeggs。"Mrs。
　　Goldstrawlookedbackathim，stillalittledividedbetweenhermaster’schimney—pieceandhermaster。"Itaketea，"Mr。Wildingwenton;"andIamperhapsrathernervousandfidgetyaboutdrinkingit，withinacertaintimeafteritismade。Ifmyteastandstoolong——"
　　Hehesitated，onhisside，andleftthesentenceunfinished。Ifhehadnotbeenengagedindiscussingasubjectofsuchparamountinteresttohimselfashisbreakfast，Mrs。Goldstrawmighthavefanciedthathisattentionwasbeginningtowanderattheveryoutsetoftheinterview。
　　"Ifyourteastandstoolong，sir——？"saidthehousekeeper，politelytakinguphermaster’slostthread。
　　"Ifmyteastandstoolong，"repeatedthewine—merchantmechanically，hismindgettingfartherandfartherawayfromhisbreakfast，andhiseyesfixingthemselvesmoreandmoreinquiringlyonhishousekeeper’sface。"Ifmytea——Dear，dearme，Mrs。
　　Goldstraw！whatISthemannerandtoneofvoicethatyouremindmeof？Itstrikesmeevenmorestronglyto—day，thanitdidwhenIsawyouyesterday。Whatcanitbe？"
　　"Whatcanitbe？"repeatedMrs。Goldstraw。
　　Shesaidthewords，evidentlythinkingwhileshespokethemofsomethingelse。Thewine—merchant，stilllookingatherinquiringly，observedthathereyeswanderedtowardsthechimney—
　　pieceoncemore。Theyfixedontheportraitofhismother，whichhungthere，andlookedatitwiththatslightcontractionofthebrowwhichaccompaniesascarcelyconsciouseffortofmemory。Mr。
　　Wildingremarked。
　　"Mylatedearmother，whenshewasfive—and—twenty。"
　　Mrs。Goldstrawthankedhimwithamovementoftheheadforbeingatthepainstoexplainthepicture，andsaid，withaclearedbrow，thatitwastheportraitofaverybeautifullady。
　　Mr。Wilding，fallingbackintohisformerperplexity，triedoncemoretorecoverthatlostrecollection，associatedsoclosely，andyetsoundiscoverably，withhisnewhousekeeper’svoiceandmanner。
　　"Excusemyaskingyouaquestionwhichhasnothingtodowithmeormybreakfast，"hesaid。"MayIinquireifyouhaveeveroccupiedanyothersituationthanthesituationofhousekeeper？"
　　"Oyes，sir。IbeganlifeasoneofthenursesattheFoundling。"
　　"Why，that’sit！"criedthewine—merchant，pushingbackhischair。
　　"Byheaven！Theirmanneristhemanneryouremindmeof！"
　　Inanastonishedlookathim，Mrs。Goldstrawchangedcolour，checkedherself，turnedhereyesupontheground，andsatstillandsilent。
　　"Whatisthematter？"askedMr。Wilding。
　　"DoIunderstandthatyouwereintheFoundling，sir？"
　　"Certainly。Iamnotashamedtoownit。"
　　"Underthenameyounowbear？"
　　"UnderthenameofWalterWilding。"
　　"Andthelady——？"Mrs。Goldstrawstoppedshortwithalookattheportraitwhichwasnowunmistakablyalookofalarm。
　　"Youmeanmymother，"interruptedMr。Wilding。
　　"Your——mother，"repeatedthehousekeeper，alittleconstrainedly，"removedyoufromtheFoundling？Atwhatage，sir？"
　　"Atbetweenelevenandtwelveyearsold。It’squitearomanticadventure，Mrs。Goldstraw。"
　　Hetoldthestoryoftheladyhavingspokentohim，whilehesatatdinnerwiththeotherboysintheFoundling，andofallthathadfollowedinhisinnocentlycommunicativeway。"Mypoormothercouldneverhavediscoveredme，"headded，"ifshehadnotmetwithoneofthematronswhopitiedher。Thematronconsentedtotouchtheboywhosenamewas’WalterWilding’asshewentroundthedinner—tables—
　　—andsomymotherdiscoveredmeagain，afterhavingpartedfrommeasaninfantattheFoundlingdoors。"
　　AtthosewordsMrs。Goldstraw’shand，restingonthetable，droppedhelplesslyintoherlap。Shesat，lookingathernewmaster，withafacethathadturneddeadlypale，andwitheyesthatexpressedanunutterabledismay。
　　"Whatdoesthismean？"askedthewine—merchant。"Stop！"hecried。
　　"IstheresomethingelseinthepasttimewhichIoughttoassociatewithyou？IremembermymothertellingmeofanotherpersonattheFoundling，towhosekindnesssheowedadebtofgratitude。Whenshefirstpartedwithme，asaninfant，oneofthenursesinformedherofthenamethathadbeengiventomeintheinstitution。Youwerethatnurse？"
　　"Godforgiveme，sir——Iwasthatnurse！"
　　"Godforgiveyou？"
　　"Wehadbettergetback，sir（ifImaymakesoboldastosayso），tomydutiesinthehouse，"saidMrs。Goldstraw。"Yourbreakfast—
　　houriseight。Doyoulunch，ordine，inthemiddleoftheday？"
　　TheexcessivepinknesswhichMr。Bintreyhadnoticedinhisclient’sfacebegantoappearthereoncemore。Mr。Wildingputhishandtohishead，andmasteredsomemomentaryconfusioninthatquarter，beforehespokeagain。
　　"Mrs。Goldstraw，"hesaid，"youareconcealingsomethingfromme！"
　　Thehousekeeperobstinatelyrepeated，"Pleasetofavourme，sir，bysayingwhetheryoulunch，ordine，inthemiddleoftheday？"
　　"Idon’tknowwhatIdointhemiddleoftheday。Ican’tenterintomyhouseholdaffairs，Mrs。Goldstraw，tillIknowwhyyouregretanactofkindnesstomymother，whichshealwaysspokeofgratefullytotheendofherlife。Youarenotdoingmeaservicebyyoursilence。Youareagitatingme，youarealarmingme，youarebringingonthesinginginmyhead。"
　　Hishandwentuptohisheadagain，andthepinkinhisfacedeepenedbyashadeortwo。
　　"It’shard，sir，onjustenteringyourservice，"saidthehousekeeper，"tosaywhatmaycostmethelossofyourgoodwill。
　　Pleasetoremember，endhowitmay，thatIonlyspeakbecauseyouhaveinsistedonmyspeaking，andbecauseIseethatIamalarmingyoubymysilence。WhenItoldthepoorlady，whoseportraityouhavegotthere，thenamebywhichherinfantwaschristenedintheFoundling，Iallowedmyselftoforgetmyduty，anddreadfulconsequences，Iamafraid，havefollowedfromit。I’lltellyouthetruth，asplainlyasIcan。AfewmonthsfromthetimewhenIhadinformedtheladyofherbaby’sname，therecametoourinstitutioninthecountryanotherlady（astranger），whoseobjectwastoadoptoneofourchildren。Shebroughttheneedfulpermissionwithher，andafterlookingatagreatmanyofthechildren，withoutbeingabletomakeuphermind，shetookasuddenfancytooneofthebabies——aboy——undermycare。Try，praytry，tocomposeyourself，sir！It’snousedisguisingitanylonger。Thechildthestrangertookawaywasthechildofthatladywhoseportraithangsthere！"
　　Mr。Wildingstartedtohisfeet。"Impossible！"hecriedout，vehemently。"Whatareyoutalkingabout？Whatabsurdstoryareyoutellingmenow？There’sherportrait！Haven’tItoldyousoalready？Theportraitofmymother！"
　　"WhenthatunhappyladyremovedyoufromtheFoundling，inafteryears，"saidMrs。Goldstraw，gently，"shewasthevictim，andyouwerethevictim，sir，ofadreadfulmistake。"
　　Hedroppedbackintohischair。"Theroomgoesroundwithme，"hesaid。"Myhead！myhead！"Thehousekeeperroseinalarm，andopenedthewindows。Beforeshecouldgettothedoortocallforhelp，asuddenburstoftearsrelievedtheoppressionwhichhadatfirstalmostappearedtothreatenhislife。HesignedentreatinglytoMrs。Goldstrawnottoleavehim。Shewaiteduntiltheparoxysmofweepinghadwornitselfout。Heraisedhisheadasherecoveredhimself，andlookedatherwiththeangryunreasoningsuspicionofaweakman。
　　"Mistake？"hesaid，wildlyrepeatingherlastword。"HowdoIknowyouarenotmistakenyourself？"
　　"ThereisnohopethatIammistaken，sir。Iwilltellyouwhy，whenyouarebetterfittohearit。"
　　"Now！now！"
　　ThetoneinwhichhespokewarnedMrs。Goldstrawthatitwouldbecruelkindnesstolethimcomforthimselfamomentlongerwiththevainhopethatshemightbewrong。Afewwordsmorewouldendit，andthosefewwordsshedeterminedtospeak。
　　"Ihavetoldyou，"shesaid，"thatthechildoftheladywhoseportraithangsthere，wasadoptedinitsinfancy，andtakenawaybyastranger。IamascertainofwhatIsayasthatIamnowsittinghere，obligedtodistressyou，sir，sorelyagainstmywill。Pleasetocarryyourmindon，now，toaboutthreemonthsafterthattime。
　　IwasthenattheFoundling，inLondon，waitingtotakesomechildrentoourinstitutioninthecountry。Therewasaquestionthatdayaboutnaminganinfant——aboy——whohadjustbeenreceived。
　　WegenerallynamedthemoutoftheDirectory。Onthisoccasion，oneofthegentlemenwhomanagedtheHospitalhappenedtobelookingovertheRegister。Henoticedthatthenameofthebabywhohadbeenadopted（’WalterWilding’）wasscratchedout——forthereason，ofcourse，thatthechildhadbeenremovedforgoodfromourcare。
　　’Here’sanametolet，’hesaid。’Giveittothenewfoundlingwhohasbeenreceivedto—day。’Thenamewasgiven，andthechildwaschristened。You，sir，werethatchild。"
　　Thewine—merchant’sheaddroppedonhisbreast。"Iwasthatchild！"
　　hesaidtohimself，tryinghelplesslytofixtheideainhismind。
　　"Iwasthatchild！"
　　"NotverylongafteryouhadbeenreceivedintotheInstitution，sir，"pursuedMrs。Goldstraw，"Ileftmysituationthere，tobemarried。Ifyouwillrememberthat，andifyoucangiveyourmindtoit，youwillseeforyourselfhowthemistakehappened。Betweenelevenandtwelveyearspassedbeforethelady，whomyouhavebelievedtobeyourmother，returnedtotheFoundling，tofindherson，andtoremovehimtoherownhome。Theladyonlyknewthatherinfanthadbeencalled’WalterWilding。’Thematronwhotookpityonher，couldbutpointouttheonly’WalterWilding’knownintheInstitution。I，whomighthavesetthematterright，wasfarawayfromtheFoundlingandallthatbelongedtoit。Therewasnothing——
　　therewasreallynothingthatcouldpreventthisterriblemistakefromtakingplace。Ifeelforyou——Idoindeed，sir！Youmustthink——andwithreason——thatitwasinanevilhourthatIcamehere（innocentlyenough，I’msure），toapplyforyourhousekeeper’splace。IfeelasifIwastoblame——IfeelasifIoughttohavehadmoreself—command。IfIhadonlybeenabletokeepmyfacefromshowingyouwhatthatportraitandwhatyourownwordsputintomymind，youneednever，toyourdyingday，haveknownwhatyouknownow。"
　　Mr。Wildinglookedupsuddenly。Theinbredhonestyofthemanroseinprotestagainstthehousekeeper’slastwords。Hismindseemedtosteadyitself，forthemoment，undertheshockthathadfallenonit。
　　"Doyoumeantosaythatyouwouldhaveconcealedthisfrommeifyoucould？"heexclaimed。
　　"IhopeIshouldalwaystellthetruth，sir，ifIwasasked，"saidMrs。Goldstraw。"AndIknowitisbetterforMEthatIshouldnothaveasecretofthissortweighingonmymind。ButisitbetterforYOU？Whatusecanitservenow—？"
　　"Whatuse？Why，goodLord！ifyourstoryistrue——"
　　"ShouldIhavetoldit，sir，asIamnowsituated，ifithadnotbeentrue？"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidthewine—merchant。"Youmustmakeallowanceforme。ThisdreadfuldiscoveryissomethingIcan’trealiseevenyet。Welovedeachothersodearly——IfeltsofondlythatIwasherson。Shedied，Mrs。Goldstraw，inmyarms——shediedblessingmeasonlyamotherCOULDhaveblessedme。Andnow，afteralltheseyears，tobetoldshewasNOTmymother！Ome，Ome！I
　　don’tknowwhatIamsaying！"hecried，astheimpulseofself—
　　controlunderwhichhehadspokenamomentsince，flickered，anddiedout。"Itwasnotthisdreadfulgrief——itwassomethingelsethatIhaditinmymindtospeakof。Yes，yes。Yousurprisedme——
　　youwoundedmejustnow。Youtalkedasifyouwouldhavehiddenthisfromme，ifyoucould。Don’ttalkinthatwayagain。Itwouldhavebeenacrimetohavehiddenit。Youmeanwell，Iknow。I
　　don’twanttodistressyou——youareakind—heartedwoman。Butyoudon’trememberwhatmypositionis。SheleftmeallthatIpossess，inthefirmpersuasionthatIwasherson。Iamnotherson。I
　　havetakentheplace，Ihaveinnocentlygottheinheritanceofanotherman。Hemustbefound！HowdoIknowheisnotatthismomentinmisery，withoutbreadtoeat？Hemustbefound！Myonlyhopeofbearingupagainsttheshockthathasfallenonme，isthehopeofdoingsomethingwhichSHEwouldhaveapproved。Youmustknowmore，Mrs。Goldstraw，thanyouhavetoldmeyet。Whowasthestrangerwhoadoptedthechild？Youmusthaveheardthelady’sname？"
　　"Ineverheardit，sir。Ihaveneverseenher，orheardofher，since。"
　　"Didshesaynothingwhenshetookthechildaway？Searchyourmemory。Shemusthavesaidsomething。"
　　"Onlyonething，sir，thatIcanremember。Itwasamiserablybadseason，thatyear;andmanyofthechildrenweresufferingfromit。