e
whole, and take herself into the bargain. But my folly was even
surpassed by my impudence, since, as the _friend_ of this girl, I was
merely petitioning on my own account. I had come to him, whom I never
saw before, on whom I had no claim, and who, as I well knew, had reason
to think me a sharper, and modestly said, "Here's a girl who has no
fortune. I am greatly in want of one. Pray, give her such an estate that
you have in your possession. If you do, I'll marry her, and take it into
my own hands." I might be thankful that he did not answer such a
petition with a horse-whipping. But if he did not give her his estate,
he might extend to her, forsooth, his counsel and protection. "That I've
offered to do," continued he. "She may come and live in my house, if she
will. She may do some of the family work. I'll discharge the chambermaid
to make room for her. Lizzy, if I remember right, has a pretty face. She
can't have a better market for it than as chambermaid to an inn. If she
minds her p's and q's she may make up a handsome sum at the year's end."

I thought it time to break off the conference; and, my dinner being
finished, took my leave, leaving behind me the character of _a queer
sort of chap_. I speeded to the prothonotary's office, which was kept in
the village, and quickly ascertained the truth of Hadwin's pretensions.
There existed a mortgage, with bond and warrant of attorney, to so great
an amount as would swallow up every thing at Malverton. Furnished with
these tidings, I prepared, with a drooping heart, to return to Mr.
Curling's.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

This incident necessarily produced a change in my views with regard to
my friend. Her fortune consisted of a few hundreds of dollars, which,
frugally administered, might procure decent accommodation in the
country. When this was consumed, she must find subsistence in tending
the big wheel or the milk-pail, unless fortune should enable me to place
her in a more favourable situation. This state was, in some respects,
but little different from that in which she had spent the former part of
her life; but, in her father's house, these employments were dignified
by being, in some degree, voluntary, and relieved by frequent intervals
of recreation and leisure. Now they were likely to prove irksome and
servile, in consequence of being performed for hire and imposed by
necessity. Equality, parental solicitudes, and sisterly endearments,
would be wanting to light