The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

98

ORMOND; OR,

He was easily persuaded by his daughter to allow her to
perform this unwelcome office in his stead. He had not
received nor even seen the note. He would have willingly spared her the mortification of a judicial examination, but he knew that this was unavoidable. Should he
comply with this summons himself, his daughter's presence would be equally necessary.
Influenced by these considerations, he was willing that
his daughter should accompany the messenger, who was
content that they should consult their mutual convenience
in.this respect. This interview was to her not without
its terrors, but she cherished the hope that it might ultimately conduce to good. She did not foresee the means
by which this would be effected, but her heart was lightened by a secret and inexplicable faith in the propitiousness of some event that was yet to occur. This faith was
powerfully enforced when she reached the magistrate's
door, and found that he was no other than Melbourne,
whose succour she intended to solicit. She was speedily
ushered, not into his office, but into a private apartment,
where he received her alone.
He had been favourably prepossessed with regard to
her character by the report of the officer, who, on being
charged with the message, had accounted for the regret
which he manifested, by dwelling on the merits of Miss
Dudley. He behaved with great civility, requested her
to be seated, and accurately scrutinized her appearance.
She found herself not deceived in her preconceptions of
this gentleman's character, and drew a favourable omen
as to the event of this interview by what had already
taken place. He viewed her in silence for some time,
and then, in a conciliating tone, said,"It seems to me, madam, as if I had seen you before.
Your face, indeed, is of that kind which, when once
seen, is not easily forgotten. I know it is a long time
since, but I cannot tell when or where. If you will not
deem me impertinent, I'will venture to ask you to assist
my conjectures. Your name, as I am informed, is Acworth." (I ought to have mentioned that Mr. Dudley,
on his removal from New York, among other expedients
to obliterate the memory of his former condition and