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and sisters.
but you shall not bend, though you may break, that of

You may-nay, you will-break your mother's heart;

'Your father,

'J. G.'

Blake had watched with no small curiosity the convulsive quivering of Greencheese during the period he perused the document. At length Greencheese spoke.

Look at that!-read that!' he said, handing him his father's letter. I have been most infamously duped, deceived, and wronged! But I'll seek my injured father instantly '-Blake started-'I will lay before him all-all my conduct. I will with promptitude.'

Humph!' said Blake, glad of the opportunity of creating a diversion by a play upon Greencheese's favourite phrase, 'don't be too prompt. Suppose you were to go to your father, what would you tell him ?'

'I would endeavour at least to set myself right with him. By that means alone I can regain his lost love."

Blake continued, 'And you'd tell him, mayhap, that I cheated you out of a hundred and seventy pounds, eh?'

Greencheese looked up, was about to speak, started, and remained silent. Blake kept his eyes so firmly rivetted on him, that he attributed the start to the effect his bold avowal had made, and resumed—

'You'd tell him, maybe, that my cousin, the bishop, was no cousin at all at all, but Nick Sweeny, that 'twas I who sent you to Mrs. Mulrooney, well knowing that she was Sweeny's sister on the look-out for a husband-you 'd tell him that maybe?'

Greencheese still remained mute, his eyes fixed upon the door that led into his bed-room, which was a few feet behind Blake. It was partially open, just sufficient for a man's head to be seen, with his finger on his lips imposing silence.

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You'd say,' continued Blake, his voice getting hoarser and hoarser, while he stealthily crept round near the fire-place, that Patrick Blake had been cheating you. And what would I say? THAT IT WAS ALL TRUE!'-and he gave a bitter laugh. But before you shall say all this, I'll give you more to say!'

And he seized the poker, and uplifted it to strike a fatal blow at Greencheese, when his arm was suddenly grasped in the giant gripe of a powerful policeman, and the weapon fell harmless at his feet. În a second he was handcuffed; and when he turned his eyes, it was to see Greencheese and his father locked in each others' arms!

If any of our readers should be curious to know how old Greencheese and the policeman gained admittance, it was when the laundress made the excuse about the key. The old gentleman had made inquiries of almost everybody, and lastly of her, respecting his son's companions; and she, though ignorant of Mrs. Mulrooney, had told him the story of the bishop frightening her cat, and that his son had become the dupe of swindlers. And on being informed that one of the gang' was engaged with his son, he had taken prompt measures to secure him.

J. B. O'M.

THE FORGED WILL.

BY H. CURLING.

IT was towards the close of a somewhat raw and gusty day in the month of December, somewhere about that year in which the invincible armada of Spain threatened destruction to our sceptred isle. The exact year, indeed, I cannot call to mind; but it was, as I said, towards the close of a cold and comfortless-looking day in December, that a single horseman rode rapidly up to the principal entrance of Marstoke House, in Warwickshire.

Ah! Walter Greville!' cried the owner of the mansion, who, for want of more fitting employment to amuse his mind, was walking the quarter-deck, as it were, of his ample hall, and gazing occasionally into the park through the open doorway, till the evening meal was announced, for in these days your country squire went to roost same time almost as the chickens in his poultry-yard. 'Ah! Walter Greville, man! 'fore Heaven but I am right glad to see thee again,' said the owner of the mansion, adding in a sotto voce aside, “ a south fog rot ye!" what in the name of the fiend hath brought this ill-omened hound hitherward?'

I am glad to see you well, good Master Oldcraft,' said the traveller, in hoarse guttural tones, getting at the same time off his wearied steed with some little effort, and all the caution and deliberation of one who had apparently ridden so far betwixt sunrise and sunset that his legs were afflicted with a sort of cavalry cramp, and bowed outwards like those of a bandy-legged turnspit's. You are alone here, Oldcraft, are you?' he continued, pausing after his dismount, or have you visitors or residents in your house besides the good lady, your wife, at the present moment?'

'Alone, man,' said the host; my wife even is absent at Warwick just now.'

'Good!' returned the other, resigning his steed to the serving-man, and shaking his friend by the hand; 'tis best so.'

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But you

look pale and ill, Greville,' said Oldcraft; 'come in, come in; a stoup of wine will refresh and revive thee. You've surely journeyed far to-day.'

'I have done so,' returned the traveller; 'I have neither stinted nor stayed since daybreak, except to feed, and once to change my horse at Weedon, and glad am I after my ride to find you are alone here, since I have that to talk with you about which will scarce be fitting subject for other ears but thine and mine.' In saying this he unstrapped the leathern belt which confined his ample riding-cloak, doffed his beaver, and, ushered by the master of the mansion, strode into the interior after him.

The two persons here introduced to the reader were good and portly figures, good men's pictures,' as Portia has it,-strong-built, broadshouldered, and stout limbed fellows, and both were accoutred for the nonce in suits which were the usual equipments of persons of condition residing in the country in Queen Elizabeth's reign. Yet, although these men wore their doublets slashed and puffed, and embroidered after the most approved fashion; had their ruffs starched to the firmness of a deal-board, and carried rapiers by their sides of more

than an ell in length, yet was it easy to perceive at a single glance that neither of them were gentlemen.

For the one, and who, by reason of his being in possession, we may suppose to be the proprietor of the house and domain we have found him in; he was clad in an embroidered doublet, slashed and puffed, with continuations to answer, wore huge rosettes in his shoes, and, as before mentioned, carried those attributes of a gentleman of his day rapier and dagger, at his girdle. His features, however, were not good; and although his physiognomy gave you the idea that he possessed a considerable share of courage, firmness, and talent, yet the face was essentially vulgar and common-looking, and his figure rather too fat and burly; there was also a want of breeding in his manner and appearance altogether, which neither his clothes nor his inches made up for. In fact, he looked more like one who had riches thrust upon him, than one who had either achieved or been born to them.

The other, his visitor, was a tall, gaunt-looking fellow, with a restless eye, an aquiline nose, a long Quixotic visage, dark elf-looks, and an expression of countenance so uneasy and disturbed that apparently he was ever on the fret lest a bailiff or an officer of justice should steal and pounce upon him unawares. He looked haggard, also, and careworn to a degree, showing evidently that, in addition to his usual style, there was to be now seen in his hang-dog visage the effects of hardriding, and the exhaustion of over-fatigue. He was accoutred, like his before-named friend, in the somewhat rich dress of a country-gentleman of the period; and in addition to his long and curiously-guarded rapier and dagger, he carried horse-pistols a foot and a half long at his girdle. His wide and heavy riding-boots, also, which were pulled up to the middle of his thighs, were accommodated with large and most persuasive roweled spurs.

Soon as Master Oldcraft had ushered his friend into a good-sized, oak-panneled apartment, on the hearth of which glowed a most comfortable wood fire, he once more bade him welcome to Marstoke House; and ringing a little silver bell which stood upon the table, desired the servant who attended to bring wine and refreshments immediately.

Meanwhile his guest, after spreading his extended palms over the blazing logs, and then thrusting his heavy boots into the flames, in or der to warm his feet, now that he was fairly housed, and in a goodly arm-chair, placed opposite to that in which his host had seated himself, seemed to forget his fatigue in the anxiety and misery of his mind. His brow became more contracted, his countenance even more faded, his eye was sunken, and trouble and anxiety were in his every look. He started like some guilty thing' when the attendant serving-man threw open the door to bring in the wine and other refreshments, shrunk, and drew off his eye as he caught the man's glance, and walking to the window of the apartment, appeared for a moment as if watching the on-coming snow-storm, and then suddenly returning to the fire-place, was again lost and absorbed apparently in deep and troublesome cogitation.

Oldcraft watched his visitor with a steady eye for some little time ere he interrupted his reverie; apparently he saw what he did not altogether like in the mood he beheld him in, and his welcome had lost half its former heartiness of tone as he poured out a cup of wine, and bade the traveller drink to refresh himself. Walter Greville took the proffered glass, returned the pledge of his friend, and drained it to the

dregs; after which, fetching a deep and long-drawn sigh, he threw himself into the vacant seat beside the table, and shadowed his face with his hands.

The host, still eyeing him with a searching and steady gaze, proceeded to do a little cross-examination.

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The wine is good, Greville, is't not?' he began. Try another glass, man; your spirit seems somewhat clouded. I don't recollect that I ever saw you so strangely moved. Even now you said you wished to confer with me alone. Have you any of the old leaven to talk of? I thought that subject was to be for ever quiet between us, eh ?'

It was and is settled,' returned the visitor; 'but matter hath grown out of it that I would fain speak to thee anent; matter appertaining to myself. In short, I am in want of the comfort and consolation of your companionship and your advice, not to mention that the shelter of your roof here will be more than convenient just at this time. I come to be your guest here, Master Oldcraft, for some weeks, perhaps, ere I take the western voyage. You see I am unceremonious in manner, and scruple not to invite myself. Nay, for the matter of that, we know each other well enough for me to say, it suits my purpose to enjoy the air of Warwickshire for a term, and keep close the whilst, and it must suit yours to say "Walter Greville, you're welcome."

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There needs no ghost come from the grave,' returned the host,'so to speak the words of our new poet of Stratford,-to tell me that fact, Greville. Knock about the bush no more, man. Out with your secret, and let me see if I can do aught to assist thee. lany weighs so heavily upon your conscience?

What new vil

More than I can find words to describe to thee, Oldcraft,' said the traveller; but it must be done; the tale must needs be told, or I shall die.'

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Curse upon the ban-dog!' muttered Oldcraft. What a thing it is to be but half a villain! What, that over-greed of thine,' he continued aloud, and somewhat bitterly, not satiated with the fortune thou hadst amassed as my partner, sent thee again to the dice-table, and I suppose the loss of all you had (avariciously, as thou did always pouch the uttermost farthing thou couldst scrape together,) has nearly driven you frantic; so that now thou art come yelping here to confide this thing to me, and ask a further share, thinking, as you even now hinted, that I dare not refuse thee.'

'No, by Heaven!' returned the other, in his peculiar aud deep tones,' you are safe there. I would I were steeped in poverty to the very lips, so I could undo what I have committed. I am twice, nay three times as wealthy, Oldcraft, as when I saw thee last; but, unhappy was the hour in which I became so; accursed the deeds which have put me in possession,-for I have done an ugly crime to gain these riches, and the hand of Heaven is upon me. Yes, Oldcraft, in me you behold a murderer!'

Dreadnought Oldcraft, who wrote himself esquire of Marstoke House, in the county of Warwickshire, and who had risen to that estate from the calling of a London attorney who told the clock for many years in Bridewell dock,' was what might properly be called, in every sense, a cool hand, and on this occasion he showed to advantage the imperturbable nature of his disposition. He neither started with horror at the abrupt declaration of his visitor, nor did he summon his household to secure the delinquent after so unscrupulous a confession, (perhaps

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he had his reasons;) be that as it may, certain it is, that he merely smiled as he rose from his seat, and, quietly walking to the door of the oak-panneled apartment they were sitting in, he threw it suddenly wide open, stepped a pace or two into the hall, glanced hastily to the right and to the left, and then returning to his seat, took up the little silver bell from the table, and rang it merrily for the servant.

Walter Greville had, meanwhile, also started to his feet, and stood, with cat-like watch,' observing the motion of his auditor, and with his right hand grasping the butt of one of the pistols at his girdle, seemed apparently awaiting in doubt as to the fidelity of his friend; but as Oldcraft returned into the room his eagle eye caught the motion, and he signed to him to relinquish the grasp upon his weapon before the servant answered to the summons.

'I have business of importance,' said Oldcraft to the servant, with my friend here, who is fatigued with long travel; get fire, and a bed prepared in the guest's apartment; let the supper be served without delay, and place all we require at once upon the table; after which leave us to ourselves, see to the security of the house, and quit us for the night. When you have refreshed yourself, Walter Greville,' he continued, as soon as the serving man withdrew to hasten the evening meal, we will continue this matter; meanwhile calm yourself, and compose your spirits. It is ill talking between a full man and a fasting, as the Scot hath it.'

So saying the host arose, and locking the door, removed at the same time the pistols of his guest to the table behind where he was sitting, and taking down a huge and elaborately-carved tobacco-pipe, the bowl of which was as big as a Scotchman's mull of the present day, he proceeded with infinite care to fill it with the weed of Sir Walter, which had just then come into fashion, and reseating himself in his high-backed chair, puffed out such huge volumes of smoke as he prepared himself to listen to the communication of his companion, that although the voice reached him through the fusillade he kept up, the countenance and figure of his guest were completely hidden in the cloud and eclipsed.

WALTER GREVILLE'S CONFESSION.

I must needs begin my story,' said Greville, 'from the time I left this place, after we had succeeded in gaining possession of this estate, buried Sir William Marstoke, gained the suits you wot of, and taken up your residence here in Warwickshire. You took the estate, and I had my share in ready-money: I confess the partition was just, and I am content with what you have done for me.'

'There's honour among thieves, then, according to the old proverb,' said Oldcraft.Come, l'am glad you give me my share in that, as I gave you yours in rose nobles. Proceed, and come to your story. Let's have less matter, eschew compliments, I don't want 'em-I want facts.'

'When I left thee, then, (as you may easily suppose after all that had happened), I was not likely to be a settler in London. I therefore sold what few things I possessed in the old house in BridewellDock, where we had carried on business so long, doffed my suit of sables for more gallant accoutrements, and began to cast about in my mind where I should like to live, and ruffle it (since I was in condition to do so,) with the gentlefolks of the land. I had never forgotten Matthew Marstoke, Sir William's brother, to whose house you used to send me sometimes during the suit between him and Sherloke, and which suit we lost some ten years agone. The kindness and hospitality

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