It may appear strange to the reader that the money was obtained so easily, but he must remember that the major was considered a person who universally attached himself to young men of large fortune; he had already been the means of throwing many profitable speculations into the hands of Emmanuel, and the latter put implicit confidence in him. The money-lenders also are always on the look out for young men with large fortunes, and have their names registered. Emmanuel had long expected me to come to him; and although it was his intention to have examined more particularly, and not to have had the money prepared, yet my refusal to sign the bond, bearing interest, and my disputing the terms of the second proposal, blinded him completely, and put him off his usual guard. "Upon my word, Newland, you obtained better terms than I could have expected from the old Hunks." "Much better than I expected also, major," replied I; "but now, how much of the money would you like to have?" "My dear fellow, this is very handsome of you; but, I thank Heaven, I shall be soon able to repay it; but what pleases me, Newland, is your perfect confidence in one, whom the rest of the world would not trust with a shilling. I will accept your offer as freely as it is made, and take 500 pounds, just to make a show for the few weeks that I am in suspense, and then you will find, that, with all my faults, I am not deficient in gratitude." I divided the money with the major, and he shortly afterwards went out. "Well, sir," said Timothy, entering, full of curiosity, "what have you done?" "I have borrowed a thousand to pay fifteen hundred when I come into my property." "You are safe then. Excellent, and the Jew will be bit." "No, Timothy, I intend to repay it as soon as I can." "I should like to know when that will be." "So should I, Tim, for it must depend upon my finding out my parentage." Heigho, thought I, when shall I ever find out who is my father? PART TWO, CHAPTER SIX. THE MAJOR IS VERY FORTUNATE AND VERY UNFORTUNATE--HE RECEIVES A LARGE SUM IN GOLD AND ONE OUNCE OF LEAD. I dressed and went out, met Harcourt, dined with him, and on my return the major had not come home. It was then past midnight, and feeling little inclination to sleep, I remained in the drawing-room, waiting for his arrival. About three o'clock he came in, flushed in the face, and apparently in high good humour. "Newland," said he, throwing his pocket-book on the table, "just open that, and then you will open your eyes." I obeyed him, and to my surprise took out a bundle of bank notes; I counted up their value, and they amounted to 3500 pounds. "You have been fortunate, indeed."