LADY MACLAIRN, THE _VICTIM OF VILLANY_. A NOVEL. IN FOUR VOLUMES. BY MRS. HUNTER, OF NORWICH, AUTHOR OF LETITIA; THE UNEXPECTED LEGACY; THE HISTORY OF THE GRUBTHORPE FAMILY; PALMERSTONE’S LETTERS, _&c._ VOL. IV. _LONDON_: PRINTED FOR W. EARLE AND J. W. HUCKLEBRIDGE; AND SOLD BY W. EARLE, NO. 47, ALBEMARLE STREET; GEORGE ROBINSON, PATERNOSTER ROW; B. CROSBY AND CO. STATIONERS’ COURT; THO. OSTELL, AVE MARIA LANE; AND ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS. 1806. _S. Rousseau, Printer, Wood Street, Spa Fields._ LADY MACLAIRN, THE _VICTIM OF VILLANY_. CHAP. I. ——I will not attempt to describe my agitations!—“In order to relieve these emotions,” continued he, “I will ease your suspence. I have seen a person who has brought me intelligence of Duncan. A stranger was introduced to me, at a coffee-house last night, as wanting to know and speak to me. He announced himself as the super-cargo of a Dutch ship, now in the Thames, and said, that he was charged with a commission for me, by a gentleman whom he had known at Surinam. I instantly ordered a private room, and he informed me, that he had first seen Duncan at Amsterdam; had there learned enough of his story to pity him; and that he made the voyage to Surinam with him. His unfortunate condition and deep dejection, during our passage,” added this man, “more and more interested my feelings, for one whose education and manners had promised a very different career. I was happily disposed to befriend him; and as, fortunately, I had the means of so doing, for I recommended him to a merchant there, who received him into his counting house. But the fever of the climate seized him before he had been a fortnight on shore. He saw his danger, and had, as it appears, been preparing for it. He gave into my hands the picture of a young lady, which he wore in his bosom, with a parcel, in which he informed me was contained some letters of the lady’s, with one for you. He conjured me to deliver these to you in person, knowing that our ship was bound to this port on her return. I promised to observe his instructions, and I have only further to add, Sir, that knowing, as I do, the love he cherished for the lady, whom he blessed with his last breath, I think it right to hint to you some precautions in acquainting her with my poor friend’s death.” “You may suppose I satisfied him on this point,” continued my brother, and I endeavoured to sift out of him, whether he knew the whole of Duncan’s adventures and secrets.