Let me see--if my memory serves me, brother Edward, we last met when you were passing through London on your way to -- --, having been invalided, and having obtained a pension of forty pounds per annum for a severe wound received in action.

And pray, brother, where have you been ever since ?" "At the same spot, from which I probably never should have been induced to remove, had it not been for the sake of this little girl who is now with me." "And pray who may be that little girl?
Is she your daughter ?" "Only by adoption." "Humph, brother! for a half-pay lieutenant, that appears rather an expensive whim!--bad enough to maintain children of our own begetting." "You say true," replied Edward; "but if in this instance I have incurred an expense and responsibility, it must be considered to be more my misfortune than my fault." Edward Forster then entered into the particulars connected with Amber's rescue.

"You must acknowledge, brother John," observed Edward, as he closed his narrative, "that I could not well have acted otherwise; you would not yourself." "Humph! I don't know that; but this I do know, that you had better have stayed at home!" "Perhaps so, considering the forlorn prospects of the child; but we must not judge.

The same Providence which willed that she should be so miraculously saved also willed that I should be her protector;--why otherwise did the dog lay her at my feet ?" "Because it had been taught to 'fetch and carry,' I suppose: but however, brother Edward, I have no right to question your conduct.

If the girl is as good as she is pretty, why all the better for her; but, as I am rather busy, let me ask if you have any more to say to me ?" "I have, John; and the discourse we have had is preliminary.