They found her standing pensively by the window; the breakfast, which had been ordered for her by the Admiral, untouched. 'I understand you wish to go to Brighthelmstone?' said Elinor. The stranger courtsied. 'I believe I know every soul in that place. Whom do you want to see there?--Where are you to go?' She looked embarrassed, and with much hesitation, answered, 'To ... the Post-office, Madam.' 'O! what, you are something to the post-master, are you?' 'No, Madam ... I ... I ... go to the Post-office only for a letter!' 'A letter? Well! an hundred or two miles is a good way to go for a letter!' 'I am not without hopes to find a friend.--The letter I had expected here was only to contain directions for the meeting.' 'O! if your letter is to be personified, I have nothing more to say. A man, or a woman?--which is it?' 'A woman, Madam.' 'Well, if you merely wish to go to Brighthelmstone, I'll get you conveyed within nine miles of that place, if you will come to me, at Mrs Maple's, in Upper Brooke-street, when you get to town.' Surprise and pleasure now beamed brightly in the eyes of the stranger, who said that she should rejoice to pass through London, where, also, she particularly desired to make some enquiries. 'But we have no means for carrying you thither, except by the stage; and one of our gentlemen offers to take a place in it for you.' The stranger looked towards Harleigh, and confusion seemed added to her embarrassment. Harleigh hastily spoke. 'It is the old officer,--that truly benevolent veteran, who wishes to serve you, and whose services, from the nobleness of his character, confer still more honour than benefit.' Again she courtsied, and with an air in which Harleigh observed, with respect, not displeasure, her satisfaction in changing the object of this obligation. 'Well, that's settled,' said Elinor; 'but now the landlord wants your name, for taking your place.' 'My place?--Is there no machine, Madam, that sets off immediately?' 'None sooner than to-morrow. What name am I to tell him?' 'None sooner than to-morrow?' 'No; and if you do not give in your name, and secure it, you may be detained till the next day.' 'How very unfortunate!' cried she, walking about the room. 'Well, but what is your name?' A crimson of the deepest hue forced its way through her dark complexion: her very eyes reddened with blushes, as she faintly answered, 'I cannot tell my name!' She turned suddenly away, with a look that seemed to expect resentment, and anticipate being abandoned. Elinor, however, only laughed, but laughed 'in such a sort' as proclaimed triumph over Harleigh, and contempt for the stranger. Harleigh drew Elinor apart, saying, 'Can this, really, appear to you so ridiculous?' 'And can you, really, Harleigh, be allured by so glaring an adventurer? a Wanderer,--without even a name!'