ate the painful truth with my own mouth. I saw the necessity
of putting an end to her suspense, and of preventing the news from
reaching her with fallacious aggravations or at an unseasonable time.

I told the messenger that I had just parted with Mr. Carlton, that he
was well, and that I would speedily come and acquaint his sister with
the cause of his absence.

Though burning with curiosity respecting Mervyn and Welbeck, I readily
postponed its gratification till my visit to Miss Carlton was performed.
I had rarely seen this lady; my friendship for her brother, though
ardent, having been lately formed, and chiefly matured by interviews at
my house. I had designed to introduce her to my wife, but various
accidents had hindered the execution of my purpose. Now consolation and
counsel were more needed than ever, and delay or reluctance in bestowing
it would have been, in a high degree, unpardonable.

I therefore parted with Mervyn, requesting him to await my return, and
promising to perform the engagement which compelled me to leave him,
with the utmost despatch. On entering Miss Carlton's apartment, I
assumed an air of as much tranquillity as possible. I found the lady
seated at a desk, with pen in hand and parchment before her. She greeted
me with affectionate dignity, and caught from my countenance that
cheerfulness of which on my entrance she was destitute.

"You come," said she, "to inform me what has made my brother a truant
to-day. Till your message was received I was somewhat anxious. This day
he usually spends in rambling through the fields; but so bleak and
stormy an atmosphere, I suppose, would prevent his excursion. I pray,
sir, what is it detains him?"

To conquer my embarrassment, and introduce the subject by indirect and
cautious means, I eluded her question, and, casting an eye at the
parchment,--"How now?" said I; "this is strange employment for a lady. I
knew that my friend pursued this trade, and lived by binding fast the
bargains which others made; but I knew not that the pen was ever usurped
by his sister."

"The usurpation was prompted by necessity. My brother's impatient temper
and delicate frame unfitted him for the trade. He pursued it with no
less reluctance than diligence, devoting to the task three nights in the
week, and the whole of each day. It would long ago have killed him, had
I not bethought myself of sharing his tasks. The pen was irksome and
toilsome at first, but use has made i