t that of an injurer but helper; my
countenance, which showed the pleasure their entrance, at this critical
moment, afforded me; and my words, in which I besought their assistance,
and explained, in some degree, and briefly, the cause of those
appearances, removed their ill thoughts.

Presently, the unhappy woman, being carried by the new-comers into a
bedroom adjoining, recovered her sensibility. I only waited for this. I
had done my part. More information would be useless to her, and not to
be given by me, at least in the present audience, without embarrassment
and peril. I suddenly determined to withdraw, and this, the attention of
the company being otherwise engaged, I did without notice. I returned to
my inn, and shut myself up in my chamber. Such was the change which,
undesigned, unforeseen, half an hour had wrought in my situation. My
cautious projects had perished in their conception. That which I had
deemed so arduous, to require such circumspect approaches, such
well-concerted speeches, was done.

I had started up before this woman as if from the pores of the ground. I
had vanished with the same celerity, but had left her in possession of
proofs sufficient that I was neither spectre nor demon. "I will visit
her," said I, "again. I will see her brother, and know the full effect
of my disclosure. I will tell them all that I myself know. Ignorance
would be no less injurious to them than to myself; but, first, I will
see the Maurices."

CHAPTER XLI.

Next morning I arose betimes, and equipped myself without delay. I had
eight or ten miles to walk, so far from the town being the residence of
these people; and I forthwith repaired to their dwelling. The persons
whom I desired to see were known to me only by name, and by their place
of abode. It was a mother and her three daughters to whom I now carried
the means not only of competence but riches; means which they, no doubt,
had long ago despaired of regaining, and which, among all possible
messengers, one of my age and guise would be the least suspected of
being able to restore.

I arrived, through intricate ways, at eleven o'clock, at the house of
Mrs. Maurice. It was a neat dwelling, in a very fanciful and rustic
style, in the bosom of a valley, which, when decorated by the verdure
and blossoms of the coming season, must possess many charms. At present
it was naked and dreary.

As I approached it, through a long avenue, I observed two female
figure