I shall interweave with Mr.Collins's story various information which I afterwards received from other quarters, that I may give all possible perspicuity to the series of events.

To avoid confusion in my narrative, I shall drop the person of Collins, and assume to be myself the historian of our patron.

To the reader it may appear at first sight as if this detail of the preceding life of Mr.
Falkland were foreign to my history.

Alas! I know from bitter experience that it is otherwise.

My heart bleeds at the recollection of his misfortunes, as if they were my own.