tunity of
talking to him upon the subject. After speaking to him with great
good-nature, she asked him, whether it might not have been better to
have contributed something along with the rest, than to have offended
them by so free an exposition of his sentiments, even though he did not
approve of the scheme. "Indeed, madam," said Harry, "this is what I
would gladly have done, but it was totally out of my power." "How can
that be, Harry? did you not the other night win nearly thirty
shillings?" "That, madam, all belonged to you; and I have already
disposed of it in your name, in a manner that I hope you will not
disapprove." "How is that?" inquired the young lady with some surprise.
"Madam," said Harry, "there was a young woman who lived with my father
as a servant, and always behaved with the greatest honesty and
carefulness. This young woman had an aged father and mother, who for a
great while were able to maintain themselves by their labour; but at
last the poor old man became too weak to do a day's work, and his wife
was afflicted with a disease they call the palsy. Now, when this good
young woman saw that her parents were in such great distress, she left
her place and went to live with them, on purpose to take care of them;
and she works very hard, whenever she can get work, and fares very hard
in order to maintain her parents; and though we assist them all we can,
I know that sometimes they can hardly get food and clothes; therefore,
madam, as you were so kind to say I should dispose of this money for
you, I ran over this morning to these poor people, and gave them all the
money in your name, and I hope you will not be displeased at the use I
have put it to." "Indeed," answered the young lady, "I am much obliged
to you for the good opinion you have of me, and the application of it
does me a great deal of honour; I am only sorry you did not give it in
your own name." "That," replied Harry, "I had not any right to do; it
would have been attributing to myself what did not belong to me, and
equally inconsistent with truth and honesty."

In this manner did the time pass away at Mr Merton's; while Harry
received very little satisfaction from his visit, except in conversing
with Miss Simmons. The affability and good sense of this young lady had
entirely gained his confidence; while all the other young ladies were
continually intent upon displaying their talents and importance, she
alone was simple and unaffected. But what