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from mere indolence and unwillingness to submit to a momentary inconvenience, I had neglected to afford him: this reflection gave rise to a train of ideas, which, to a heart less corrupted by vice than depraved by fashion, could not fail to convey the most painful sensations that a full conviction of error the most culpable, can possibly excite. It is of little use to expatiate on arguments which arise from the suggestions of remorse; the virtuous mind standeth not in need of the admonition they are calculated to impress, and to the vicious they are superfluous; for, as a most judicious and sensible author has remarked, vice hath not its seat in the understanding, but in the heart; all appeals therefore to the former, are nugatory and vain.

These salutary, though unpleasant reflections, had occupied the greatest part of the night, when the story of the young girl whom I had met in the morning recurred to my mind. I instantly resolved to repair to Broad-street early the next day, to inquire for Mrs. Villars; and, if I found her situation to be such as her daughter had represented it---and I was now much more inclined to give credit to her recital than at the time I heard it---to afford her immediate and effectual relief. This last idea soothed me to rest.

In the morning, as soon as I had breakfasted, I went to the city, and speedily found the house I was in search of. I knocked at the door, which was opened to me by a woman, who, in answer to my inquiries, informed me her name was Villars. She appeared little more than thirty; her face bore strong marks of beauty, though evidently impaired by grief; and her fine black eyes were much swoln by weeping. On my expressing a desire to speak to her in private, she shewed me into a back parlour, plainly, but neatly furnished, The same air of cleanliness which I observed in the person of Mrs. Villars, displayed itself in every thing I saw. In passing by the front parlour, the door of which was open, I perceived an ill-looking fellow seated by the fire-side, with his hat on.

Having apologized for my intrusion, I declared, the purport of my visit. Mrs. Villars expressed the greatest astonishment at finding a stran ger acquainted with her distressed situation; but, when I mentioned her daughter, she burst into tears, and clasping her hands, exclaimed, For Heaven's sake, Sir, what is become of my child?---Ah, Louisa!' Her sorrow became too powerful for utterance, and could only vent itself in sobs. I was about to employ the language of consolation, when we heard a knock at the door. Mrs. Villars instantly flew to the passage---I followed her. She opened the door, and discovered her daughter. Oh, my child, said she, throwing her arms round her neck. she could say no more---her feelings overcame her, and she fainted. Miss Villars was in so violent an agitation, that she had scarcely strength to support her mother. I ran to her assistance, calling at the same time to the man in the front parlour, who, from the door being open, had seen what passed, to bring some water. He sat still, however, drily answering, it was no business of his, and he should not quit the room. At the sound of two strange voices, Miss Villars started. But the situation of her mother left no room in her mind for the continuance of any other sensation than that of grief: she ran for the water herself; but, before she brought it, her mother had recovered herself sufficiently to return to the room we had quitted.

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Her daughter joined us. Finding her mother better, she seated herself by her side. A dead silence ensued. The countenance of Mrs. Villars was expressive of eager, but trembling curiosity---of curiosity anxious to be gratified, but shuddering lest its gratification should be productive of despair. Miss Villars, somewhat recovered from the alarm into which her mother's fainting had thrown her, seemed to be collecting her confused ideas; shame and remorse were strongly painted in her features, her eyes were cast on the ground, and a silent tear stole down her cheek. For my part, I shared in the sorrows of both, nor was my breast without its portion of remorse. I dreaded the conclusion of this affecting scene: I found, by the exclamations of Mrs. Villars, previous to her daughter's arrival, that Miss Villars had not been at home since the morning of the preceding day. I recollected her anxiety when I met her in the fields: the most horrid suggestions arose in my mind; suggestions which her present appearance was but too well calculated to confirm, and which, I feared to find speedily verified. The silence, however, continued, and I perceived that my presence must prove an invincible bar to explanation; I therefore arose, and approaching Mrs. Villars, thus addressed her---" I hope, Madam, "that the motive of my visit will be accepted as an apology for its abruptness. Chance has made me acquainted with your misfortunes ; and I trust that, by doing me the favour to accept such immediate "relief as it is in my power to afford them, you will encourage the "belief that Providence was concerned in the discovery. Fortune is "too changeable to remain long adverse: you may hope for better days; but, till they arrive, suffer me to assist you; nor can the assistance "I offer wear the least semblance of an obligation, when I assure you "that my income is infinitely more than sufficient to answer all the de"mands I can possibly have upon it." In saying this, I took out my pocket-book. "I am too sensible of your generosity, Sir," said Mrs. Villars, "to refuse your assistance; nor will I attempt to lessen its va"lue, by talking of a return which I have no prospect of making. "Thank Heaven, I am not weak enough to be ashamed of distress "which neither proceeds from vice nor folly! That mind which is too proud to receive obligations, will, I fear, be found too mean to con"fer them."---" By Heavens, Madam, your sentiments both charm and edify me!" I had taken a fifty pound note from my.pocket-book, and extended my hand to present it, when Miss Villars, who had hitherto sat motionless with surprize, rose from her chair, and said---" No, Madam, you must not, you need not, accept it; we have sufficient to answer our present demands." Mrs. Villars looked wildly on her daughter. "For Heaven's sake, Louisa, what is it you mean?" Miss Villars threw her arms round her mother's neck, and wept bitterly. "I will tell you presently: but, believe me, we have money enough to pay our landlord; this gentleman's assistance, therefore, is needless.' I shuddered. Conscious that my presence could only add to their mutual distress, I laid the note on a table which stood near me, and hastened to depart, but was stopped by Mrs. Villars." No, Sir," said she, "I must entreat you to stop. Louisa!"---extricating herself from the arms of her daughter, whom she replaced on her chair---" Louisa! I charge you to be explicit. This gentleman's generous conduct demands a return of candour and sincerity. What you have just said must make me appear to him in a strange light indeed; therefore explain yourself."

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......' It is impossible, Ma'am,' said Miss Villas hiding her face with her handkerchief, and still weeping. Mrs. Vulars insisted: but I interfered, by telling her that I had a particular engagement in the neighbourhood, and was therefore obliged to leave her; but that, with her permission, I would wait on her again in an hour. To this there was no reply. I took my leave. Mrs. Villars expressed a hope that I would not fail to return; and I retired to a coffee-house, to wait, with the most anxious impatience, the expiration of the hour.

Never till that instant did I feel the full force of that maxim of the ancients- Bis dat qui cito dat.' I still hoped, however, that my inattention to the precept it conveys, had not to Miss Villars, as to the beg gar, been productive of mischief irreparable. My heart was now interested in the fate of that charming girl. Beauty in distress must move a stoick. I passed a most painful hour under the alternate dominion of hope, fear, and remorse. When it was expired, I returned to BroadStreet. I was again shewn by Mrs. Villars into the back parlour; she seemed violently agitated, and it was some minutes before she could collect herself sufficiently to articulate a single sentence. I endeavoured to console her; by assuring her that, if any fresh calamity had befallen her, she might rely on my assistance. Alas! Sir, the worst of calanities has befallen me......my child is ruined! Any thing but this I could have borne with patience and resignation, but this is too much." This intelligence, though it did but justify my présentimens, struck such a damp to my heart, as for an instant numbed all its faculties; nor could I prevent a portion of the indignant horror with which it inspired met from appearing on my countenance, Mrs. Villars observed it. . Ah, Sir, well may she excite your resentment!'...... No, Madam,' said I, recovering myself, you mistake my feelings; my indignation is indeed excited, and strongly too, but God forbid that your daughter should be the object of it: no, it is the villain who has been base enough to take advantage of the cruel peculiarity of her situation; for, if I am not grossly deceived, she has fallen the victim of her virtue. But since you have thought me worthy to be thus far entrusted with the secrets of your family, condescend to inform me by whom your daughter has been dishonoured, and be assured that I will not disgrace your confidence.' I then learnt, that when Miss Villars parted from me the preceding morning, she was hurrying home, in the utmost agony of mind at the disappointments and insults she had experienced, when she met a clergyman, who was a friend of her father, and had spent some months at his house at a time when he was without preferment. By the recommendation of Mr. Villars, he had obtained a valuable curacy in Gloucestershite. This was about four years previous to the death of her father, who had never heard from him after he took possession of his curacy. He now addressed Miss Villars in such friendly terms, and made such affectionate enquiries after her mother, as induced her to impart to him the real situation of their affairs. He expressed the greatest concern for their distress, and promised to afford such relief as the immediate pressure of their circunstances exacted. For this purpose he desired Miss Villars to accompany him to his house in the city, where he had a considerable living. She complied; and, as dinner was ready when they arrived, and he informed her that he had not sufficient cash in the house, but must step to his banker's to fetch it, she sat down to the table. When dinner was over, he left her to go for the money, but did not return till

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