"`Three years back your aunt left this place to find employment in London, and has resided there ever since as a clear-starcher and getter-up of lace; but she often sends me down money, quite sufficient to pay for all the few comforts and expenses required by a bedridden old man. There, Harry, now I've told you the whole story; and I am glad that I am able to do so, and that at last she has done justice to the lad, and there is no further a load upon my conscience, which often caused me to lay down my Bible, when I was reading, and sigh.' "`But,' said I, `are you sure that she has acknowledged him as her nephew?' "`Am I sure! Why, did not you say so?' "`No; I only said that he was with her, travelling in her company.' "`Well, but--I understood you that it was all right.' "`It may be all right,' replied I, `but how can I tell? I only saw them together. Lady R--may still keep her secret, for all I can say to the contrary. I don't wonder at its being a load on your mind. I shouldn't be able to sleep at nights; and, as for my reading my Bible, I should think it wicked to do so, with the recollection always before me, that I had been a party in defrauding a poor boy of his name, and, perhaps fortune.' "`Dear me! dear me! I've often thought as much, Harry.' "`Yes, grandfather, and, as you say, on the brink of the grave. Who knows but you may be called away this very night?' "`Yes, yes, who knows, boy,' replied the old man, looking rather terrified; `but what shall I do?' "`I know what I would do,' replied I. `I'd make a clean breast of it at once. I'd send for the minister and a magistrate, and state the whole story upon affidavit. Then you will feel happy again, and ease your mind, and not before.' "`Well, boy, I believe you are right, I'll think about it. Leave me now.' "`Think about your own soul, sir--think of your own danger, and do not mind Lady R--. There can be but a bad reason for doing such an act of injustice. I will come again in an hour, sir, and then you will let me know your decision. Think about what the Bible says about those who defraud the widow and _orphan_. Good-bye for the present.' "`No, stop, boy, I've made up my mind. You may go to Mr Sewell, the clergyman, he often calls to see me, and I can speak to him. I'll tell him.' "I did not wait for the old man to alter his mind, but hastened as fast as I could to the parsonage-house, which was not four hundred yards distant. I went to the door and asked for Mr Sewell, who came out to me. I told him that old Roberts wanted to see him immediately, as he had an important confession to make. "`Is the old man going, then? I did not hear that he was any way dangerously ill?' "`No, sir, he is in his usual health, but he has something very heavy on his conscience, and he begs your presence immediately that he may reveal an important secret.' "`Well, my lad, go back to him and say that I will be there in two hours. You are his grandson, I believe?'