He found a lost child last night, and brought it in his arms to our gardener, and desired him to take care of it until we could find out the mother. She came this morning, and informed us, that she had been all the night wandering about in search of it. I was very much affected by the poor woman’s gratitude; but would you believe it, a certain young gentleman presumed to say to Edward, this morning, that he thought Charles had acted imprudently: what would he have done, added he, if the child had never been claimed? Did you ever hear such cold-hearted reasoning, Charlotte? Who would have thought of such a thing, when the poor child was in such immediate distress; yet this same prudent gentleman took home, some time ago, only actuated by pity, a great dog that ran after him. Edward told him of this, and asked him how it was possible that any one who could have so much pity for an animal able to preserve itself from danger, and find something to eat, should have so little compassion for a helpless child? He was at a loss what to say, and soon after took his leave, as I must do for the present. EMILIA. LETTER XVIII. EMILIA _to_ CHARLOTTE. You desire that I will send you as early an account as possible of Charles’s health; he is, I fear, very ill. In order to conceal it from my mother, he tried to employ himself, but in vain. I am with him every moment I can leave my mother; and this morning we had a conversation, which I will relate. He asked me to put by his drawings, and he looked so altered, that my eyes filled with tears, and I turned my head from him to conceal them; but it did not escape his observation. He caught me by the hand, and said, Why, dear Emilia, are you so sorrowful? EMILIA. It is nothing—I shall be chearful again presently. CHARLES. But you are weeping, dear sister? EMILIA. Well, I will dry my tears, and cry no more, for I see your tears begin to start. CHARLES. Do not on that account restrain them, they will relieve you; but tell me what makes you so sad? EMILIA. Why, brother, are you not sick? CHARLES. This proof of your sisterly affection raises you in my esteem, but your tenderness ought not to blind your reason; I am not well, it is true, yet there is not the least appearance of danger. EMILIA. You are so good, God must certainly love you; why then are you afflicted? CHARLES.