anger to her
history. I am myself imperfectly acquainted with it.

"But let me tell you the little that I know. Perhaps my narrative may
cause you to think of her as I do."

She did not object to this proposal, and I immediately recounted all
that I had gained from my own observations, or from Welbeck himself,
respecting this forlorn girl. Having finished my narrative, I proceeded
thus:--

"Can you hesitate to employ that power which was given you for good
ends, to rescue this sufferer? Take her to your home; to your bosom; to
your confidence. Keep aloof those temptations which beset her in her
present situation. Restore her to that purity which her desolate
condition, her ignorance, her misplaced gratitude and the artifices of a
skilful dissembler, have destroyed, if it be destroyed; for how know we
under what circumstances her ruin was accomplished? With what pretences,
or appearances, or promises, she was won to compliance?"

"True. I confess my ignorance; but ought not that ignorance to be
removed before she makes a part of my family?"

"Oh, no! It may be afterwards removed. It cannot be removed before. By
bringing her hither you shield her, at least, from future and possible
evils. Here you can watch her conduct and sift her sentiments
conveniently and at leisure. Should she prove worthy of your charity,
how justly may you congratulate yourself on your seasonable efforts in
her cause! If she prove unworthy, you may then demean yourself according
to her demerits."

"I must reflect upon it.--To-morrow----"

"Let me prevail on you to admit her at once, and without delay. This
very moment may be the critical one. To-day we may exert ourselves with
success, but to-morrow all our efforts may be fruitless. Why fluctuate,
why linger, when so much good may be done, and no evil can possibly be
incurred? It requires but a word from you; you need not move a finger.
Your house is large. You have chambers vacant and convenient. Consent
only that your door shall not be barred against her; that you will treat
her with civility: to carry your kindness into effect; to persuade her
to attend me hither and to place herself in your care, shall be my
province."

These and many similar entreaties and reasonings were ineffectual. Her
general disposition was kind, but she was unaccustomed to strenuous or
sudden exertions. To admit the persuasions of such an advocate to so
uncommon a scheme as that of sharing her house with a crea