old was found wrapped delicately up, and laid at my door. It was Margaret, and the following note was found attached to its arm; which I will endeavour to read to you:
“I have been lawfully united at the altar with my beloved Ludibert; and the sweet pledge of our affection which I herewith commit to your care, was, I assure you, by all that is holy, born in honorable wedlock. If you would not wish to curse, and to kill me, I beseech you to preserve the dear infant for me, until I come to claim her; till when her existence must remain a mystery. My noble consort maintains me in great wealth and splendor; yet, oh, best and dearest father, you cannot believe what abundance of wishful tears I shed—what sighs I pour, once more to cross our sweet home’s threshold; and which I am fondly trusting soon to do. Oh, think often of your absent, but faithful, fondly-loving,
“Agnes.”
“In the basket that contained the child was a large sum of gold and silver, with precious stones. This, however, I deposited as the subscription of some stranger for the use of St. Ursula’s hospital. But I deliberated not a moment in announcing that the young child was my grand-daughter, the offspring of the marriage of my daughter with the stranger. And now, God be praised, our good city is pleased to give full credit to any assertion from the
