ed executor. His
boisterous and sordid temper may prompt him to seize your house and
goods, unless seasonably apprized of the truth; and, when he knows the
truth, he may start into rage, which I shall be more fitted to encounter
than you. I am told that anger transforms him into a ferocious madman.
Shall I call upon him?"

She shuddered at the picture which I had drawn of her uncle's character;
but this emotion quickly gave place to self-upbraiding for the manner in
which she had repelled my proffers of service. She melted once more into
tears, and exclaimed,--

"I am not worthy of the pains you take for me. I am unfeeling and
ungrateful. Why should I think ill of you for despising me, when I
despise myself?"

"You do yourself injustice, my friend. I think I see your most secret
thoughts; and these, instead of exciting anger or contempt, only awaken
compassion and tenderness. You love; and must, therefore, conceive my
conduct to be perverse and cruel. I counted on your harbouring such
thoughts. Time only and reflection will enable you to see my motives in
their true light. Hereafter you will recollect my words, and find them
sufficient to justify my conduct. You will acknowledge the propriety of
my engaging in the cares of the world before I sit down in retirement
and ease."

"Ah! how much you mistake me! I admire and approve of your schemes. What
angers and distresses me is, that you think me unworthy to partake of
your cares and labours; that you regard my company as an obstacle and
encumbrance; that assistance and counsel must all proceed from you; and
that no scene is fit for me, but what you regard as slothful and
inglorious.

"Have I not the same claims to be wise, and active, and courageous, as
you? If I am ignorant and weak, do I not owe it to the same cause that
has made you so? and will not the same means which promote your
improvement be likewise useful to me? You desire to obtain knowledge, by
travelling and conversing with many persons, and studying many sciences;
but you desire it for yourself alone. Me you think poor, weak, and
contemptible; fit for nothing but to spin and churn. Provided I exist,
am screened from the weather, have enough to eat and drink, you are
satisfied. As to strengthening my mind and enlarging my knowledge, these
things are valuable to you, but on me they are thrown away. I deserve
not the gift."

This strain, simple and just as it was, was wholly unexpected. I was
surprise