162 ANOTHER OLD ACQUAINTANCE.

his name through the English ambassador. It was
from his sister, and was a most touching appeal to
his humanity, if not to his affection. Her father,
she said, had lost the use of one side; had lost his
memory completely, and in part his speech—he was a
pitiable and infirm object. She was making the most
gigantic efforts in her power for their support ; but
she had no friends, She knew not the banking-house
whence her father drew their quarterly payments, and
her father’s efforts to recall it were hopeless. Her
own health was giving way, and she besought him,
without loss of time, in the name of that Great
Father before whom they must all one day answer
for their deeds, to inform her of the name of his
banker, and thus rescue them from the horrible
misery which already stared them in the face. His
heart was wrung as he hastily perused it. His wife
came in at that moment; the carriage was at the
door ; the servants and the courier came bustling
about; his wife said all was ready, and she was
impatient to be off; he crumpled the letter hastily in
his hand, gave his arm to his wife, and placed her in
the carriage ; the nurse and the child followed quickly,
all was bustle and confusion; he took his seat: there
were yet cloaks, and shawls, and travelling baskets,
and little bags, and endless things to be looked after,
for Mrs. Williams was one of those provident persons
who cared for every want beforehand. Scarcely were
they off, when Williams recalled the letter; it was
not in his hand—it had not been in his hand for some
time—where had he put it? He was alarmed; he
quietly felt his own pockets, looked behind his wife,
looked behind the nurse, but it was not to be seen.