Rose and Oliver were soon convinced that they would learn nothing more that night. They were about to bid Mrs. Maylie good night when Mr. Brownlow and Monks entered the room.
Oliver clutched Rose's arm. "It's him! The man I saw at the inn! The man who later peered in my window with Fagin!"
Monks cast a look of hatred at Oliver.
"This is a painful task for everyone," said Mr. Brownlow, "but Oliver needs to know about his family."
Mr. Brownlow pulled Oliver to him and addressed Monks. "As you know, this child is your half brother. He is the son of your father and Agnes Fleming, who died giving birth to him."
Oliver's eyes widened. "That man is my brother?"
"Yes," said Mr. Brownlow. "His name is Edward Leeford, although he usually goes by 'Monks.' Tell us what happened to your father."
"My father, Edwin Leeford, was taken ill in Rome," said Monks. "My mother, from whom he had long been separated, took me there to see him. After he died, we found a will and a letter addressed to Agnes."
"And what did the letter say? Did he know he was dying?" asked Mr. Brownlow.
"Yes. He begged Agnes not to curse his memory. And he reminded her of the day when he gave her a ring and a locket with her first name on it. There was space left for her last name because he had planned to marry her. He begged her to always wear it next to her heart."
"And the will?" said Mr. Brownlow as Oliver's tears fell fast.
Monks was silent.
Mr. Brownlow spoke for him. "The will described the miseries his wife had brought upon him and the evil deeds that you had done from a young age. He left you and your mother eight hundred pounds each. The bulk of his property he divided between Agnes Fleming and their unborn child."
But the will had an unusual provision. "If the child were a girl, she would inherit the money unconditionally," said Mr. Brownlow. "But a boy would only inherit the money as long as he had never committed a crime. If he became a criminal, then the money would come to you."
Monks picked up the story. "My mother burned this will and the letter. Meanwhile Agnes' father was filled with shame at her pregnancy. He changed his name and fled to Wales with Agnes and his other daughter, who was much younger. One night Agnes disappeared. Her father searched for her but finally stopped, assuming that she'd killed herself to hide her shame. His heart was broken, and soon afterward he died."
The room was silent.
"Years after this," Mr. Brownlow said to Monks, "your mother came to see me because she was looking for you. When you were 18, you robbed her of jewels and money and fled to London. There you associated with the lowest outcasts of society. Ultimately you were reunited with your mother on her deathbed."
Monks crossed his arms over his chest. "My mother never believed that Agnes killed herself and her unborn child. She felt that a male child had been born, and I vowed to track down this boy."
Mr. Brownlow explained to the terrified group that Fagin had been one of Monks' old accomplices. Monks had given Fagin a large reward for keeping Oliver ensnared in a life of crime. But Fagin had to return some of this reward to Monks if Oliver were ever rescued. A dispute over this led the two men to the Maylies' country house.
Oliver shuddered at the memory of their faces peering into his window.
"Tell us what became of the locket and ring," said Mr. Brownlow, turning to Monks.
"I bought them from Mrs. Bumble, the matron of the workhouse, who had stolen them from the nurse, Sally, who had stolen them from Agnes after she died. Then I tossed them in the river, destroying proof of the boy's existence."
"Now, young lady," Mr. Brownlow said to Rose. "Give me your hand, and don't tremble. You need not fear the few remaining words we have to say."
"If they have anything to do with me," said Rose, "I don't have the strength to hear them now."
Mr. Brownlow drew her arm through his. "You are stronger than you think." Then he addressed Monks. "Do you know this young lady, sir?"
"Yes, I have seen her often," replied Monks.
"I have never seen you before," Rose said faintly.
"The father of the unhappy Agnes had two daughters," said Mr. Brownlow. "What became of the younger one?"
"The father died far away from any relatives, so a poor, elderly couple took the girl in," said Monks. "My mother was filled with hatred for any relative of Agnes', so she tracked down the child and told the couple all about Agnes. My mother also made up a story that the younger girl was illegitimate. Soon after that the old couple died, and a widow lady took in the girl."
"Do you see the girl now?" asked Mr. Brownlow.
"Yes, she's leaning on your arm."
Mrs. Maylie rushed to Rose as the young lady began to faint away. "My dear girl! I called you my niece for propriety's sake, but you are and always will be my dearest companion."
"My heart will burst," cried Rose, clinging to Mrs. Maylie. "I cannot bear all this."
Oliver rushed to her. "You are my mother's sister, so you are my aunt!"
As they embraced, there was a knock at the door, and Harry Maylie entered.
"I know everything," he said, rushing to Rose's side. "Mr. Brownlow told me yesterday. Please allow me to address you on the subject of marriage once more."
"These disclosures do not change my position in relation to yours."
"But I have changed. I have decided to forsake the world of politics where people might scorn you. Instead I will be a minister and hope that you will be my wife."
And indeed that is what happened. Rose and Harry were married and Mrs. Maylie came to live with them in their little cottage next to the church. Mr. Brownlow adopted Oliver and they went to live near the Maylies.
Although Oliver was entitled to all of his father's fortune, he agreed when Mr. Brownlow suggested he split it with his brother. Unfortunately Monks soon squandered the money and died.
Oliver continued to live happily, watched over by Mr. Brownlow, Mrs. Bedwin, and the spirit of his mother. At last the orphan Oliver Twist had found a home and a family.