t she be saved?"

"I know not," answered I, "by what means."

"The means are obvious. Let her remove to some other dwelling. Let her
be apprized of the vices of those who surround her. Let her be entreated
to fly. The will need only be inspired, the danger need only be shown,
and she is safe, for she will remove beyond its reach."

"Thou art an adventurous youth. Who wilt thou find to undertake the
office? Who will be persuaded to enter the house of a stranger, seek
without an introduction the presence of this girl, tell her that the
house she inhabits is a house of prostitution, prevail on her to believe
the tale, and persuade her to accompany him? Who will open his house to
the fugitive? Whom will you convince that her illicit intercourse with
Welbeck, of which the opprobrious tokens cannot be concealed, has not
fitted her for the company of prostitutes, and made her unworthy of
protection? Who will adopt into their family a stranger whose conduct
has incurred infamy, and whose present associates have, no doubt, made
her worthy of the curse?"

"True. These are difficulties which I did not foresee. Must she then
perish? Shall not something be done to rescue her from infamy and
guilt?"

"It is neither in your power nor in mine to do any thing."

The lateness of the hour put an end to our conversation and summoned us
to repose. I seized the first opportunity of imparting to my wife the
scheme which had occurred, relative to our guest; with which, as I
expected, she readily concurred. In the morning, I mentioned it to
Mervyn. I dwelt upon the benefits that adhered to the medical
profession, the power which it confers of lightening the distresses of
our neighbours, the dignity which popular opinion annexes to it, the
avenue which it opens to the acquisition of competence, the freedom from
servile cares which attends it, and the means of intellectual
gratification with which it supplies us.

As I spoke, his eyes sparkled with joy. "Yes," said he, with vehemence,
"I willingly embrace your offer. I accept this benefit, because I know
that, if my pride should refuse it, I should prove myself less worthy
than you think, and give you pain, instead of that pleasure which I am
bound to confer. I would enter on the duties and studies of my new
profession immediately; but somewhat is due to Mr. Hadwin and his
daughters. I cannot vanquish my inquietudes respecting them, but by
returning to Malverton and ascertaining their sta