As full disclosures as I had made without condition or
request, my inquiries and example easily obtained from Mrs. Watson and
Miss Maurice. The former related every event of her youth, and the
circumstances leading to her marriage. She depicted the character of her
husband, and the whole train of suspenses and inquietudes occasioned by
his disappearance. The latter did not hide from me her opinions upon any
important subject, and made me thoroughly acquainted with her actual
situation.

This intercourse was strangely fascinating. My heart was buoyed up by a
kind of intoxication. I now found myself exalted to my genial element,
and began to taste the delights of existence. In the intercourse of
ingenuous and sympathetic minds, I found a pleasure which I had not
previously conceived.

The time flew swiftly away, and a fortnight passed almost before I was
aware that a day had gone by. I did not forget the friends whom I had
left behind, but maintained a punctual correspondence with Stevens, to
whom I imparted all occurrences.

The recovery of my friend's kinsman allowed him in a few days to return
home. His first object was the consolation and relief of Carlton, whom,
with much difficulty, he persuaded to take advantage of the laws in
favour of insolvent debtors. Carlton's only debt was owing to his uncle,
and, by rendering up every species of property, except his clothes and
the implements of his trade, he obtained a full discharge. In
conjunction with his sister, he once more assumed the pen, and, being
no longer burdened with debts he was unable to discharge, he resumed,
together with his pen, his cheerfulness. Their mutual industry was
sufficient for their decent and moderate subsistence.

The chief reason for my hasty return was my anxiety respecting Clemenza
Lodi. This reason was removed by the activity and benevolence of my
friend. He paid this unfortunate stranger a visit at Mrs. Villars's.
Access was easily obtained, and he found her sunk into the deepest
melancholy. The recent loss of her child, the death of Welbeck, of which
she was soon apprized, her total dependence upon those with whom she was
placed, who, however, had always treated her without barbarity or
indecorum, were the calamities that weighed down her spirits.

My friend easily engaged her confidence and gratitude, and prevailed
upon her to take refuge under his own roof. Mrs. Wentworth's scruples,
as well as those of Mrs. Fielding, were removed