s numerous family to the very verge of destitution, thus bereft
of their sole support and prop. Happily Providence interposed in their
behalf, and the person whose voluntary restitution you have so kindly
undertaken to arrange, not satisfied with this step, believed his abuse
of confidence required still further expiation, and, therefore, inquired
of me if I knew any genuine case of real and unmerited distress. I
immediately thought of the Morel family, and recommended them so warmly
that the unknown personage begged me to hand over to you (as I shall do)
the necessary funds for purchasing an annuity of eighty pounds a year
for the joint lives of Morel, his wife, and children."

"Truly," said the abbe, "such conduct is beyond my poor praise. Most
gladly will I add this commission to the former; still permit me to
express my surprise that you were not yourself selected to arrange an
affair of this nature, the proceedings of which must be so much more
familiar to you than to me."

"The reason for your being preferred, M. l'Abbe, was because the
individual in question believed that his expiatory acts would go forth
even in greater sanctity if they passed through hands as pure and pious
as your own."

"Then be it so! And I will at once proceed to arrange for an annuity to
Morel, the worthy but unfortunate parent of Louise. Still I am inclined
to think, with your friend, that you are not altogether a stranger to
the motives which dictated this additional expiation."

"Nay, M. l'Abbe, let me beg of you to believe that all I did was to
recommend the Morel family as a deserving case upon which to exercise
charitable sympathy; I had no further share in the good work," said
Jacques Ferrand.

"Now, then," said Polidori, "you are next to be gratified, M. l'Abbe,
with seeing to what an extent my worthy friend there has carried his
philanthropic views, as manifested in the foundation of such an
establishment as that we have already discussed. He will read to you the
plan definitely decided on. The necessary money for its endowment is
ready, and all is prepared for immediate action; but since yesterday a
doubt has crossed his mind, and if he does not like to state it himself
I will do so for him."

"There is no occasion for your taking that trouble," said Jacques, who
seemed to find a relief in talking himself rather than be compelled to
sit in silence and listen to the ironical praises of his accomplice.
"The fact is this, M.