dejection and weakness
may apologize for his not soliciting my company, or expressing his fears
for my safety. He was no sooner seated, than the traveller hurried away.
I gazed after them, motionless and mute, till the carriage, turning a
corner, passed beyond my sight.

I had now leisure to revert to my own condition, and to ruminate on that
series of abrupt and diversified events that had happened during the few
hours which had been passed in the city: the end of my coming was thus
speedily and satisfactorily accomplished. My hopes and fears had rapidly
fluctuated; but, respecting this young man, had now subsided into calm
and propitious certainty. Before the decline of the sun, he would enter
his paternal roof, and diffuse ineffable joy throughout that peaceful
and chaste asylum.

This contemplation, though rapturous and soothing, speedily gave way to
reflections on the conduct which my duty required, and the safe
departure of Wallace afforded me liberty, to pursue. To offer myself as
a superintendent of the hospital was still my purpose. The languors of
my frame might terminate in sickness, but this event it was useless to
anticipate. The lofty site and pure airs of Bush Hill might tend to
dissipate my languors and restore me to health. At least while I had
power, I was bound to exert it to the wisest purposes. I resolved to
seek the City Hall immediately, and, for that end, crossed the
intermediate fields which separated Sassafras from Chestnut Street.

More urgent considerations had diverted my attention from the money
which I bore about me, and from the image of the desolate lady to whom
it belonged. My intentions, with regard to her, were the same as ever;
but now it occurred to me, with new force, that my death might preclude
an interview between us, and that it was prudent to dispose, in some
useful way, of the money which would otherwise be left to the sport of
chance.

The evils which had befallen this city were obvious and enormous. Hunger
and negligence had exasperated the malignity and facilitated the
progress of the pestilence. Could this money be more usefully employed
than in alleviating these evils? During my life, I had no power over it,
but my death would justify me in prescribing the course which it should
take.

How was this course to be pointed out? How might I place it, so that I
should effect my intentions without relinquishing the possession during
my life?

These thoughts were superse