ce! splendid murderers of virtue; who make your
vice your boast, and fancy female ruin a feather in your caps of
vanity--single out a victim you have abandoned, and, in your hours
of death, contemplate her!--view her, care-worn, friendless,
pennyless;--hear her tale of sorrows, fraught with her remorse,--her
want,--a hard world's scoffs, her parents' anguish;--then, if ye
dare, look inward upon your own bosoms; and if they be not
conscience proof what must be your compunctions!--Who is his father,
child?

_Mary._ Sir Simon Rochdale, sir, of the Manor-house, hard by.

_Pereg._ [_Surprised._] Indeed!

_Mary._ Perhaps you know him, sir?

_Pereg._ I have heard of him;--and, on your account, shall visit
him.

_Mary._ Oh, pray, sir, take care what you do! if you should bring
his son into trouble, by mentioning me, I should never, never
forgive myself.

_Pereg._ Trust to my caution.--Promise only to remain at this house,
till I return from a business which calls me, immediately, two miles
hence; I will hurry back to pursue measures for your welfare, with
more hope of success, than your own weak means, poor simplicity,
are likely to effect. What say you?

_Mary._ I hardly know what to say, sir--you seem good,--and I am
little able to help myself.

_Pereg._ You consent, then?

_Mary._ Yes, sir.

_Pereg._ [_Calling._] Landlord!

_Enter DENNIS, from the Door of the House--MRS.
BRULGRUDDERY following._

_Dennis._ Did you call, sir?--Arrah, now, Mrs. Brulgruddery, you are
peeping after the young woman yourself.

_Mrs. Brul._ I chuse it.

_Pereg._ Prepare your room, good folks; and get the best
accommodation you can for this young person.

_Dennis._ That I will, with all my heart and soul, sir.

_Mrs. Brul._ [_Sulkily._] I don't know that we have any room at all,
for my part.

_Dennis._ Whew! She's in her tantrums.

_Mrs. Brul._ People of repute can't let in young women (found upon a
heath, forsooth), without knowing who's who. I have learn'd the ways
of the world, sir.

_Pereg._ So it seems:--which too often teach you to over-rate the
little good you can do in it: and to shut the door when the
distressed entreat you to throw it open. But I have learnt the ways
of the world too. [_Taking out his Purse._] I shall return in a few
hours. Provide all the comforts you can; and here are a couple of
guineas, to send for any refreshments you have not in the house.