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.

125

decay; but care and neatness and order were displayed
in their condition and arrangement.
The lower apartment was the eating and sitting room.
It was likewise Mr. Dudley's bedchamber. The upper
room was occupied by Constantia and Lucy. Ormond
viewed every thing with the accuracy of an artist, and
carried away with him a catalogue of every thing visible.
The faded form of Mr. Dudley, that still retained its dignity, the sedateness, graceful condescension, and personal
elegance of Constantia, were new to the apprehension of
Ormond. The contrast between the house and its inhabitants rendered the appearance more striking. When he
had finished his task, he retired; but, returning in a quarter of an hour, he presented a letter to the young lady.
He behaved as if by no means desirous of eluding her
interrogatories, and, when she desired him to stay, readily
complied. The letter, unsigned and unsuperscribed, was
to this effect:"The writer of this is acquainted with the transaction
between Thomas Craig and Mr. Dudley. The former is
debtor to Mr. Dudley in a large sum. I have undertaken
to pay as much of this debt, and at such times, as suits
my convenience. I have had pecuniary engagements
with Craig. I hold myself, in the sum enclosed, discharging so much of his debt. The future payments are
uncertain, but I hope they will contribute to relieve the
necessities of Mr. Dudley."
Ormond had calculated the amount of what would be
necessary for the annual subsistence of this family on the
present frugal plan. He had regulated his disbursements
accordingly.
It was natural to feel curiosity as to the writer of this
epistle. The bearer displayed a prompt and talkative
disposition. He had a staring eye and a grin of vivacity
forever at command. When questioned by Constantia,
he answered that the gentleman had forbidden him to
mention his name or the place where he lived. Had he
ever met witl the same person before? Oh, yes. He
id lived with him from a child. His mother lived with
Em still, and his brothers. His master had nothing for
him to do at home, so he sent him out sweeping chim11*