 screens you
from all suspicion of an intended fraud; but the mortgage upon those lands you
mention, was granted to another person many years before you pretend to have
lent that sum; and I have, this very morning, paid one quarter's interest, as
appears from this receipt, which you may peruse for your satisfaction.«
    Peregrine was so thunder-struck at this information, which stripped him of
his all, that he could not utter one word; a circumstance that did no great
honour to his character, in the opinion of the steward, who, in good earnest,
began to entertain some doubts of his integrity: for, among the papers of the
deceased, which he had examined, there was no writing, memorandum, or receipt,
relating to this incumbrance. After a long pause of stupefaction, Peregrine
recollected himself so far, as to observe, that either he was egregiously
mistaken, or the predecessor of his lord the greatest villain upon earth. »But,
Mr. Whatdyecallum, (said he) you must give me leave to tell you, that your bare
assertion, in this affair, will by no means induce me to put up quietly with the
loss of ten thousand pounds.«
    Having thus expressed himself, he retired from the house, so discontented at
this demur, that he scarce knew whether he moved upon his head or heels; and the
park chancing to lie in his way, he sauntered about, giving vent to a soliloquy
in praise of his departed friend, the burden of which was a string of incoherent
curses imprecated upon himself; till his transports, by degrees, giving way to
his reflection, he deliberated seriously and sorrowfully upon his misfortune,
and resolved to consult lawyers, without loss of time. But, first of all, he
proposed to make personal application to the heir, who, by a candid
representation of the case, might be inclined to do him justice.
    In consequence of this determination, he next morning put his writings in
his pocket, and went in a chair to the house of the young nobleman, to whom
being admitted by virtue of his appearance, and a small gratification to the
porter, he explained the whole affair, corroborating his assertions with the
papers which he produced, and describing the disgrace that would be intailed
upon the memory of the deceased, should he be obliged to seek redress in a
public court of justice.
    The executor, who was a person of good breeding, condoled him upon his loss
with great good nature, though he did not seem much surprized at his account of
the matter;
