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.

THE SECRET WITNESS.

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"Really," the goldsmith answered, "he was ignorant
respecting all those particulars. Previously to this purchase, the gentleman had sometimes visited his shop; but
he did not recollect to have since seen him. He was unacquainted with his name and his residence."
"What appeared to he his motives for purchasing this
picture?"
" The customer appeared highly pleased with it. Pleasure, rather than surprise, seemed to be produced by the
sight of it. If I were permitted to judge," continued
the artist, "I should imagine that the young man was
acquainted with the original. To say the truth, I hinted
as much at the time, and I did not see that he discouraged the supposition. Indeed, I cannot conceive how
the picture could otherwise have gained any value in his
eyes."
This only heightened the eagerness of Constantia to
trace the footsteps of the youth. It was obvious to suppose some communication or connection between her
friend and this purchaser. She repeated her inquiries,
and the goldsmith, after some consideration, said, " Why,
on second thoughts, I seem to have some notion of having
seen a figure like that of my customer go into a lodginghouse in Front Street, some time before I met with him
at my shop."
The situation of this house being satisfactorily described, and the artist being able to afford her no further
information, except as to stature and guise, she took her
leave. There were two motives impelling her to prosecute her search after this person,-the desire of regaining
this portrait and of procuring tidings of her friend. Involved as she was in ignorance, it was impossible to conjecture how far this incident would be subservient to
these inestimable purposes. To procure an interview
with this stranger was the first measure which prudence
suggested.
She knew not his name or his person. He was once
seen entering a lodging-house. Thither she must immediately repair; but how to introduce herself, how to describe the person of whom she was in search, she knew
not. She was beset with embarrassments and difficul