Page:The Wanderer (1814 Volume 1).pdf/218

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respect, may be thought insufficient by the world, to justify Mrs. Maple, who has two young ladies so immediately under her care, for engaging a perfect stranger, in a scheme which has no reference to humanity, or good offices."

"Ah ha, Mr. Harleigh!" cried Ireton, shaking his head, "you are afraid of what she may turn out! You think no better of her, at last, than I do."

"I think, on the contrary, so well of her," answered Harleigh, "that I am sincerely sorry to see her thus haughtily distanced. I often wish these ladies would as generously, as I doubt not that they might safely, invite her into their private society. Kindness such as that might produce a confidence, which revolts from public and abrupt enquiry; and which, I would nearly engage my life, would prove her innocence and worth, and vindicate every trust."

He then begged them to consider, that, should their curiosity and suspicions work upon her spirits, till she were