birth. It is said that I was found -- where was I
found? by whom? how have I been confided to your
care? by whose appointment have I had given to me
this guardian? and why is he so kind, and wherefore
are you so faithful? Tell me, nurse, why has he
caused me to be educated with such care; from what
motive has he caused me to be furnished with ac-
complishments that seem to reach beyond the
bounds of my prospective sphere? Nurse, I charge
you, -- if you indeed have nursed me from my birth,
as you declare you have done, -- tell me, I pray you
tell me: it is not much to ask: the very poorest
child yet knows its parentage; the meanest beggar
knows whether his father once asked alms or not;
but I know nothing of my progenitors; whether
they were of a proud or of a humble station, whether
good or vicious; whether they be yet living or be
long since dead. I do not know even whether my
guardian knew them, nor how he has come to be my
guardian, my kind supporter, friend: nothing do
I know of these, whose all I ought to know. What
is the reason of this singular secrecy? Nurse, tell me
all you know, -- for well I know you know, -- tell me,
I say, about my parentage; declare, again I charge
you, and now most solemnly, if you really love me,
who gave me to your care and to his kind tutelage:
Nurse, Mona, foster-mother, speak; how have I
become the ward, nay, like the very child, of that
eccentric, wise, gay, good old man?"

"More gay than good, and not so wise as wicked,"
muttered Mona, and, not giving her companion time
to reply, continued:

"Amanda, do not importune me further, I conjure

[[17]]

p016 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p017w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p018

v?