to receive her; but
there were others who had not his fears. There were others, within the
compass of a day's journey, who were strangers to the cause of Hadwin's
death; but would it not be culpable to take advantage of that ignorance?
Their compliance ought not to be the result of deception.

While thus engaged, the incidents of my late journey recurred to my
remembrance, and I asked, "Is not the honest woman, who entertained
Wallace, just such a person as that of whom I am in search? Her
treatment of Wallace shows her to be exempt from chimerical fears,
proves that she has room in her house for an occasional inmate."

Encouraged by these views, I told my weeping companion that I had
recollected a family in which she would be kindly treated; and that, if
she chose, we would not lose a moment in repairing thither. Horses,
belonging to the farm, grazed in the meadows, and a couple of these
would carry us in a few hours to the place which I had selected for her
residence. On her eagerly assenting to this proposal, I inquired in
whose care, and in what state, our present habitation should be left.

The father's property now belonged to the daughter. Eliza's mind was
quick, active, and sagacious; but her total inexperience gave her
sometimes the appearance of folly. She was eager to fly from this house,
and to resign herself and her property, without limitation or condition,
to my control. Our intercourse had been short, but she relied on my
protection and counsel as absolutely as she had been accustomed to do
upon her father's.

She knew not what answer to make to my inquiry. Whatever I pleased to do
was the best. What did I think ought to be done?

"Ah!" thought I, "sweet, artless, and simple girl! how wouldst thou have
fared, if Heaven had not sent me to thy succour? There are beings in the
world who would make a selfish use of thy confidence; who would beguile
thee at once of innocence and property. Such am not I. Thy welfare is a
precious deposit, and no father or brother could watch over it with more
solicitude than I will do."

I was aware that Mr. Hadwin might have fixed the destination of his
property, and the guardianship of his daughters, by will. On suggesting
this to my friend, it instantly reminded her of an incident that took
place after his last return from the city. He had drawn up his will, and
gave it into Susan's possession, who placed it in a drawer, whence it
was now taken by my friend.

By th