thy but half naked children; the infant
was asleep beside its mother, and, on a chair by the bed side, stood
a porrenger and wooden spoon, containing a little gruel, and a tea-cup
with about two spoonfulls of wine in it. Mrs. Beauchamp had never
before beheld such a scene of poverty; she shuddered involuntarily, and
exclaiming--"heaven preserve us!" leaned on the back of a chair ready to
sink to the earth. The doctor repented having so precipitately brought
her into this affecting scene; but there was no time for apologies:
Charlotte caught the sound of her voice, and starting almost out of bed,
exclaimed--"Angel of peace and mercy, art thou come to deliver me? Oh,
I know you are, for whenever you was near me I felt eased of half my
sorrows; but you don't know me, nor can I, with all the recollection I
am mistress of, remember your name just now, but I know that benevolent
countenance, and the softness of that voice which has so often comforted
the wretched Charlotte."

Mrs. Beauchamp had, during the time Charlotte was speaking, seated
herself on the bed and taken one of her hands; she looked at her
attentively, and at the name of Charlotte she perfectly conceived
the whole shocking affair. A faint sickness came over her. "Gracious
heaven," said she, "is this possible?" and bursting into tears, she
reclined the burning head of Charlotte on her own bosom; and folding her
arms about her, wept over her in silence. "Oh," said Charlotte, "you are
very good to weep thus for me: it is a long time since I shed a tear for
myself: my head and heart are both on fire, but these tears of your's
seem to cool and refresh it. Oh now I remember you said you would send
a letter to my poor father: do you think he ever received it? or perhaps
you have brought me an answer: why don't you speak, Madam? Does he say I
may go home? Well he is very good; I shall soon be ready."

She then made an effort to get out of bed; but being prevented, her
frenzy again returned, and she raved with the greatest wildness and
incoherence. Mrs. Beauchamp, finding it was impossible for her to be
removed, contented herself with ordering the apartment to be made more
comfortable, and procuring a proper nurse for both mother and child; and
having learnt the particulars of Charlotte's fruitless application
to Mrs. Crayton from honest John, she amply rewarded him for his
benevolence, and returned home with a heart oppressed with many
painful sensations, but yet ren