'She is not, at least, without probity, since she prefers any risk, and any suspicion, to falsehood. How easily, otherwise, might she assume any appellation that she pleased!' 'You are certainly bewitched, Harleigh!' 'You are certainly mistaken, Elinor! yet I cannot desert her, till I am convinced that she does not merit to be protected.' Elinor returned to the stranger. 'You do not chuse, then, to have your place secured?' 'O yes Madam!--if it is impossible for me to attend any lady to town.' 'And what name shall you like for the book-keeper? Or what initials?--What think you of L.S.?' She started; and Harleigh, again taking Elinor aside, more gravely said, 'Elinor, I am glad I am not--at this moment--my brother!--for certainly I could not forbear quarrelling with you!' 'I heartily wish, then,' cried she, with quickness, 'that,--at this moment!--you were your brother!' Harleigh, now, addressing the stranger, in whose air and manner distress seemed palpably gaining ground, gently said, 'To save you any further trouble, I will take a place in my own name, and settle with the landlord, that, if I do not appear to claim it, it is to be made over to the person who produces this card. The book-keeper shall have such another for a check.' He put into her hand a visiting ticket, on which was engraven Mr Harleigh, and, not waiting for her thanks, conducted Elinor back to the parlour, saying, 'Pardon me, Elinor, that I have stopt any further enquiries. It is not from a romantic admiration of mystery, but merely from an opinion that, as her wish of concealment is open and confessed, we ought not, through the medium of serving her, to entangle her into the snares of our curiosity.' 'Oh, you are decided to be always right, I know!' cried Elinor, laughing, though piqued; 'and that is the very reason I always hate you! However, you excite my curiosity to fathom her; so let her come to me in town, and I'll take her under my own care, if only to judge your discernment, by finding out how she merits your quixotism.' Harleigh then returned to the young woman, and hesitatingly said, 'Pardon my intrusion, but--permit me, as you have so unfortunately lost your purse-' 'If my place, Sir,' hastily interrupted the stranger, 'is taken, I can require nothing else.' 'Yet--you have the day to pass here; and you will with difficulty exist merely upon air, even where so delightedly you inhale it; and Miss Joddrel, I fear, has forgotten to bring you the little offering of your veteran friend; therefore--' 'If he has the infinite goodness to intend me any, sir, permit, at least, that he may be my only pecuniary creditor! I shall want no addition of that sort, to remember,--gratefully and for ever! to whom it is I owe the deepest obligation of my life!'