Викрадений

           Ebenezeradmittedhavingseenyou;declared(whatseemedimprobable)thathehadgivenyouconsiderablesums;andthatyouhadstartedforthecontinentofEurope,intendingtofulfilyoureducation,whichwasprobableandpraiseworthy.InterrogatedhowyouhadcometosendnowordtoMr.Campbell,hedeponedthatyouhadexpressedagreatdesiretobreakwithyourpastlife.Furtherinterrogatedwhereyounowwere,protestedignorance,butbelievedyouwereinLeyden.Thatisaclosesumofhisreplies.Iamnotexactlysurethatanyonebelievedhim,”continuedMr.Rankeillorwithasmile;“andinparticularhesomuchdisrelishedmeexpressionsofminethat(inaword)heshowedmetothedoor.Wewerethenatafullstand;forwhatevershrewdsuspicionswemightentertain,wehadnoshadowofprobation.Intheveryarticle,comesCaptainHoseasonwiththestoryofyourdrowning;whereuponallfellthrough;withnoconsequencesbutconcerntoMr.Campbell,injurytomypocket,andanotherblotuponyouruncle’scharacter,whichcouldveryillaffordit.Andnow,Mr.Balfour,”saidhe,“youunderstandthewholeprocessofthesematters,andcanjudgeforyourselftowhatextentImaybetrusted.”

           IndeedhewasmorepedanticthanIcanrepresenthim,andplacedmorescrapsofLatininhisspeech;butitwasallutteredwithafinegenialityofeyeandmannerwhichwentfartoconquermydistrust.Moreover,IcouldseehenowtreatedmeasifIwasmyselfbeyondadoubt;sothatfirstpointofmyidentityseemedfullygranted.