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。
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