her lying on the floor of her cell, with her face buried in her hands, sobbing as if her heart would break. He tried to comfort her, but could obtain no answer.
“Leave us alone,” said he to the keeper. “Perhaps she will speak to me, if there is no one to hear.” When they were alone together, he put back the hair from her temples, laid his hand kindly on her beautiful head, and said in soothing tones, “My child, consider me as thy father. Tell me all thou hast done. If thou hast taken this silk, let me know all about it. I will do for thee as I would for a daughter; and I doubt not that I can help thee out of this difficulty.”
After a long time spent in affectionate entreaty, she leaned her young head on his friendly shoulder, and sobbed out, “Oh, I wish I was dead. What will my poor mother say, when she knows of my disgrace?”
“Perhaps we can manage that she never shall know it,” replied he; and alluring her by this hope, he gradually obtained from her the whole story of her acquaintance with the nobleman. He bade her be comforted, and take nourishment; for he would see that the silk was paid for, and the prosecution withdrawn. He went immediately to her employer, and told him the story. “This is her first offence,” said he; “the girl is young, and the only child of a poor widow. Give her a chance to retrieve this one false step, and she may be restored to society, a useful and honoured woman. I will see that thou art paid for the silk.” The man readily agreed to withdraw the prosecution, and said he would have dealt otherwise by the girl, had he known all the circumstances. “Thou shouldst have inquired into the merits of the case, my friend,” replied Isaac. “By this kind of thoughtlessness, many a young creature is driven into the downward path, who might easily have been saved.”
The kind-hearted man then went to the hotel and inquired for Henry Stuart. The servant said his lordship had not yet risen. “Tell him my business is of importance,” said Friend Hopper. The servant soon returned and conducted him to the chamber. The nobleman appeared surprised that a plain Quaker should thus intrude upon his luxurious privacy; but when he heard his errand,
