adventure, and to observe the fear with which she shunned him.

Pity and alarm, in nearly equal forces, contested the possession of

his mind; and yet, in spite of both, he saw himself condemned to

follow in the lady's wake. He did so gingerly, as fearing to

increase her terrors; but, tread as lightly as he might, his

footfalls eloquently echoed in the empty street. Their sound

appeared to strike in her some strong emotion; for scarce had he

begun to follow ere she paused. A second time she addressed

herself to flight; and a second time she paused. Then she turned

about, and with doubtful steps and the most attractive appearance

of timidity, drew near to the young man. He on his side continued

to advance with similar signals of distress and bashfulness. At

length, when they were but some steps apart, he saw her eyes brim

over, and she reached out both her hands in eloquent appeal.

'Are you an English gentleman?' she cried.

The unhappy Challoner regarded her with consternation. He was the

spirit of fine courtesy, and would have blushed to fail in his

devoirs to any lady; but, in the other scale, he was a man averse

from amorous adventures. He looked east and west; but the houses

that looked down upon this interview remained inexorably shut; and

he saw himself, though in the full glare of the day's eye, cut off

from any human intervention. His looks returned at last upon the

suppliant. He remarked with irritation that she was charming both

in face and figure, elegantly dressed and gloved; a lady

undeniable; the picture of distress and innocence; weeping and lost

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