"All this, and much more, did he say; and I pitied him while he spoke. Our conference then ended in nothing fixed;--but--he asked me to dine with him the next day. In a word, while he forbade me at present to recur to the subject, he allowed me to see his daughter as often as I pleased: this lasted for about ten days. At the end of that time, when I made my usual morning visit, I saw D---- alone; he appeared much agitated. He was about, he said, to be arrested. He was undone for ever--and his poor daughter!--he could say no more--his manly heart was overcome--and he hid his face with his hands. I attempted to console him, and inquired the sum necessary to relieve him. It was considerable; and on hearing it named, my power of consolation I deemed over at once. I was mistaken. But why dwell on so hacknied a topic as that of a sharper on the one hand, and a dupe on the other? I saw a gentleman of the tribe of Israel--I raised a sum of money, to be repaid when I came of age, and that sum was placed in D----'s hands. My intercourse with Lucy continued; but not long. This matter came to the ears of one who had succeeded my poor aunt, now no more, as my guardian. He saw D----, and threatened him with penalties, which the sharper did not dare to brave. My guardian was a man of the world; he said nothing to me on the subject, but he begged me to accompany him on a short tour through a neighbouring county. I took leave of Lucy only for a few days as I imagined. I accompanied my guardian--was a week absent--returned--and hastened to the cottage; it was shut up--an old woman opened the door--they were gone, father and daughter, none knew whither!