ture thus
previously unknown to her, thus loaded with suspicion and with obloquy,
was not possible.

I at last forbore importunity, and requested her to tell me when I might
expect to meet with Mrs. Fielding at her lodgings. Inquiry was made to
what end I sought an interview. I made no secret of my purpose.

"Are you mad, young man?" she exclaimed. "Mrs. Fielding has already been
egregiously imprudent. On the faith of an ancient slight acquaintance
with Mrs. Villars in Europe, she suffered herself to be decoyed into a
visit. Instead of taking warning by numerous tokens of the real
character of that woman, in her behaviour and in that of her visitants,
she consented to remain there one night. The next morning took place
that astonishing interview with you which she has since described to me.
She is now warned against the like indiscretion. And, pray, what
benevolent scheme would you propose to her?"

"Has she property? Is she rich?"

"She is. Unhappily, perhaps, for her, she is absolute mistress of her
fortune, and has neither guardian nor parent to control her in the use
of it."

"Has she virtue? Does she know the value of affluence and a fair fame?
And will not she devote a few dollars to rescue a fellow-creature from
indigence and infamy and vice? Surely she will. She will hazard nothing
by the boon. I will be her almoner. I will provide the wretched stranger
with food and raiment and dwelling; I will pay for all, if Mrs.
Fielding, from her superfluity, will supply the means. Clemenza shall
owe life and honour to your friend, till I am able to supply the needful
sum from my own stock."

While thus speaking, my companion gazed at me with steadfastness:--"I
know not what to make of you. Your language and ideas are those of a
lunatic. Are you acquainted with Mrs. Fielding?"

"Yes. I have seen her two days ago, and she has invited me to see her
again."

"And on the strength of this acquaintance you expect to be her almoner?
To be the medium of her charity?"

"I desire to save her trouble; to make charity as light and easy as
possible. 'Twill be better if she perform those offices herself. 'Twill
redound more to the credit of her reason and her virtue. But I solicit
her benignity only in the cause of Clemenza. For her only do I wish at
present to call forth her generosity and pity."

"And do you imagine she will intrust her money to one of your age and
sex, whom she knows so imperfectly, to administer to the w