MOULINES

THOUGH I hate salutations and greetings in the marketplace, yet, when we got into the middle of this, I stopped to take my last look and last farewell of Maria.

Maria, though not tall, was nevertheless of the first order of fine forms:-affliction had touched her looks with something that was scarce earthly;-still she was feminine; and so much was there about her of all that the heart wishes, or the eye looks for, in woman, that, could the traces be ever worn out of her brain, and those of Eliza's out of mine, she should not only eat of my bread and drink of my own cup, but Maria should lay in my bosom, and be unto me as`a daughter.

Adieu, poor luckless maiden!-imbibe the oil and wine which the compassion of a stranger, as he journeyeth on his way, now pours into thy wounds;— the being who has twice bruised you can only bind them up for ever.