to get over; as it would make a woman of her known
prudence appear to countenance a fugitive daughter in opposition to
her parents; and as her coming to me would deprive her of my mother's
favour, without its being in my power to make it up to her.

O my beloved creature! said he, generously enough, let not this be
an obstacle. I will do every thing for Mrs. Norton you wish to have
done.--Let me go for her.

More coolly than perhaps his generosity deserved, I told him it was
impossible but I must soon hear from my friends. I should not, mean
time, embroil any body with them. Not Mrs. Norton especially, from whose
interest in, and mediation with, my mother, I might expect some good,
were she to keep herself in a neutral state: that, besides, the good
woman had a mind above her fortune; and would sooner want than be
beholden to any body improperly.

Improperly! said he.--Have not persons of merit a right to all the
benefits conferred upon them?--Mrs. Norton is so good a woman, that I
shall think she lays me under an obligation if she will put it in my
power to serve her; although she were not to augment it, by giving me
the opportunity, at the same time, of contributing to your pleasure and
satisfaction.

How could this man, with such powers of right thinking, be so far
depraved by evil habits, as to disgrace his talents by wrong acting?

Is there not room, after all, thought I, at the time, to hope (as he so
lately led me to hope) that the example it will behove me, for both
our sakes, to endeavour to set him, may influence him to a change of
manners, in which both may find our account?

Give me leave, Sir, said I, to tell you, there is a strange mixture in
your mind. You must have taken pains to suppress many good motions
and reflections as they arose, or levity must have been surprisingly
predominant in it.--But as to the subject we were upon, there is no
taking any resolutions till I hear from my friends.

Well, Madam, I can only say, I would find out some expedient, if I
could, that should be agreeable to you. But since I cannot, will you be
so good as to tell me what you would wish to have done? Nothing in the
world but I will comply with, excepting leaving you here, at such a
distance from the place I shall be in, if any thing should happen; and
in a place where my gossiping rascals have made me in a manner public,
for want of proper cautions at first.

These vermin, added he, have a pride they can hardly