'What, then, I'm afraid those poor people a'n't paid yet?' 'A poorer person, Sir, as I believe, and hope,' answered she, sighing, 'than any amongst them, is unpaid also! They would not, else, have this claim upon your compassion.' 'What, have you got any bad debts yourself?' 'Enquire, Sir, of Miss Arbe; and if you extend your benevolence to representing what is due to my creditors, it may urge her to consider what is due to me.' 'Does any body owe you any money, then?' 'Yes, Sir; and as much as will acquire all I myself owe to others.' 'What is the reason, then, that they don't pay you?' 'The want of knowing, Sir, the value of a little to the self-supported and distressed! The want, in short, of consideration.' 'Bad! bad!--that i'n't right!' cried he: 'I'll put an end to it, however;' rising hastily: 'I'll make my cousin go to every one of them. They must be taught what they should do. They mean very well; but that's of no use if they don't act well too. And if my cousin don't go to them, I'll go myself.' He then quitted the house, in the greatest haste; leaving behind him his parcel and his stick, which were not perceived till his departure. Ellis knew not whether to lament or to rejoice at this promised interference; but, wholly overset by these new and unexpected obstacles to providing for her immediate subsistence, she had no resource but to await with patience the effect of his efforts. The following day, while anxiously expecting him, she was surprised by another visit from Miss Arbe; who, with an air as sprightly as her own was dejected, cried, 'Well, I hope this new plan will make an end of all our difficulties. You have had time enough, now, to consider of it; for I have such a little minute always to stay, that I can never pretend to discuss an hundred _pros_ and _cons_. Though, indeed, I flatter myself, 'tis impossible your scruples should still hold out. But where in the world have you hid your harp? I have been peeping about for it ever since I came in. And my music? Have you looked it over? Is it not delightful? I long to play it with you. I tried it twenty times by myself, but I could not manage it. But every thing's so much easier when one tries it together, that I dare say we shall conquer all those horrid hard passages at once. But where's your harp?--Tell me, however, first, what you decide about our plan; for when once we begin playing, there's no thinking of any thing else.' 'If it be the concert you mean, Madam, I can only repeat my thanks; and that I can never, except to those ladies who are, or who would venture to become my pupils, consent to be a performer.' 'What a thousand pities, my dear Miss Ellis, to throw away your charming talents, through that terrible diffidence! However, I can't give you up so easily. I must positively bring you round;--only if we stop now, we shan't have a moment for those horrid hard passages. So where's my music? And where have you conjured your harp?'