e innocent fruit of it, as of the
object, when the fit is over. I had casually observed an old,
mean-looking woman, who called on my husband every two or three months to
receive some money. One day entering the passage of his little
counting-house, as she was going out, I heard her say, 'The child is very
weak; she cannot live long, she will soon die out of your way, so you
need not grudge her a little physic.'

"'So much the better,' he replied, 'and pray mind your own business, good
woman.'

"I was struck by his unfeeling, inhuman tone of voice, and drew back,
determined when the woman came again, to try to speak to her, not out of
curiosity, I had heard enough, but with the hope of being useful to a
poor, outcast girl.

"A month or two elapsed before I saw this woman again; and then she had a
child in her hand that tottered along, scarcely able to sustain her own
weight. They were going away, to return at the hour Mr. Venables was
expected; he was now from home. I desired the woman to walk into the
parlour. She hesitated, yet obeyed. I assured her that I should not
mention to my husband (the word seemed to weigh on my respiration), that
I had seen her, or his child. The woman stared at me with astonishment;
and I turned my eyes on the squalid object [that accompanied her.] She
could hardly support herself, her complexion was sallow, and her eyes
inflamed, with an indescribable look of cunning, mixed with the wrinkles
produced by the peevishness of pain.

"'Poor child!' I exclaimed. 'Ah! you may well say poor child,' replied
the woman. 'I brought her here to see whether he would have the heart to
look at her, and not get some advice. I do not know what they deserve who
nursed her. Why, her legs bent under her like a bow when she came to me,
and she has never been well since; but, if they were no better paid than
I am, it is not to be wondered at, sure enough.'

"On further enquiry I was informed, that this miserable spectacle was the
daughter of a servant, a country girl, who caught Mr. Venables' eye, and
whom he seduced. On his marriage he sent her away, her situation being
too visible. After her delivery, she was thrown on the town; and died in
an hospital within the year. The babe was sent to a parish-nurse, and
afterwards to this woman, who did not seem much better; but what was to
be expected from such a close bargain? She was only paid three shillings
a week for board and washing.

"The woman begged me to