The party were shut up in an apartment with the
infant, and it may be presumed that the solemnity
of baptism was administered to the unconscious
being, thus strangely launched upon the world.
When the priest and witnesses had retired, the
strange gentleman informed Mr Gray, that, as the
lady had been pronounced unfit for travelling for
several days, he was himself about to leave the
neighbourhood, but would return thither in the
space of ten days, when he hoped to find his companion
able to leave it.
``And by what name are we to call the child
and mother?''
``The infant's name is Richard.''
``But it must have some sirname---so must the
lady---She cannot reside in my house, yet be without
a name.''
``Call them by the name of your town here---
Middlemas, I think it is?''
``Yes, sir.''
``Well Mrs Middlemas is the name of the mother,
and Richard Middlemas of the child---and I
am Matthew Middlemas, at your service. This,''
he continued, ``will provide Mrs Middlemas in
everything she may wish to possess---or assist her
in case of accidents.'' With that he placed L.100
in Mr Gray's hand, who rather scrupled receiving
it, saying, ``He supposed the lady was qualified to
be her own purse-bearer.
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