demeanour, on
our first interview, shielded you sufficiently from any suspicions or
surmises that I could form. What you have now mentioned was likewise
mentioned by your friend, and was fully believed upon her authority. My
purpose, in coming, related not to you, but to another. I desired merely
to interest your generosity and justice on behalf of one whose destitute
and dangerous condition may lay claim to your compassion and your
succour."

"I comprehend you," said she, with an air of some perplexity. "I know
the claims of that person."

"And will you comply with them?"

"In what manner can I serve her?"

"By giving her the means of living."

"Does she not possess them already?"

"She is destitute. Her dependence was wholly placed upon one that is
dead, by whom her person was dishonoured and her fortune embezzled."

"But she still lives. She is not turned into the street. She is not
destitute of home."

"But what a home!"

"Such as she may choose to remain in."

"She cannot choose it. She must not choose it. She remains through
ignorance, or through the incapacity of leaving it."

"But how shall she be persuaded to a change?"

"I will persuade her. I will fully explain her situation. I will supply
her with a new home."

"You will persuade her to go with you, and to live at a home of your
providing and on your bounty?"

"Certainly."

"Would that change be worthy of a cautious person? Would it benefit her
reputation? Would it prove her love of independence?"

"My purposes are good. I know not why she should suspect them. But I am
only anxious to be the instrument. Let her be indebted to one of her own
sex, of unquestionable reputation. Admit her into this house. Invite her
to your arms. Cherish and console her as your sister."

"Before I am convinced that she deserves it? And even then, what regard
shall I, young, unmarried, independent, affluent, pay to my own
reputation in harbouring a woman in these circumstances?"

"But you need not act yourself. Make me your agent and almoner. Only
supply her with the means of subsistence through me."

"Would you have me act a clandestine part? Hold meetings with one of
your sex, and give him money for a purpose which I must hide from the
world? Is it worth while to be a dissembler and impostor? And will not
such conduct incur more dangerous surmises and suspicions than would
arise from acting openly and directly? You will forgive me for reminding
you, l