Page:True humanity usefully exerted.pdf/5

(5) By the light of a lamp, that glimmered in the fireleſs chimney, he ſaw lying on a bare bedſtead, without any other covering then the relicks of their own rags, a man, a woman, and two children, ſhuddering with cold, though huddled together to ſhare the little warmth which exhauſted nature ſtill ſupplied them with.

While he ſtood gazing in horror at ſuch complicated wretchedneſs, his conductreſs ran to the bed-ſide, and falling on her knees, "O! Sir! Madam!" (exclaimed ſhe, in rapture) "Ariſe!" I have got relief from an angel of heaven."

"Take care!" (anſwered a voice, the hollow trembling of which was ſharpened by indignation) "take care it is not from a fiend of hell, who has taken advantage of your diftrefs to tempt you to ruin! for with whom elſe could you be till this time of night? But know, wretched girl, that I will never eat the earnings of vice and infamy. A few hours will put an end to my miſeries, which have received the only poſſible addition by this your folly."

"He muſt be ſuch indeed," (interrupted Benevolus, ſtill more ſtruck with ſentiments ſo uncommon in ſuch a ſituation) who could think of tempting her in ſuch circumſtances to any folly. I will withdraw, while you ariſe, and then we will consult what can be ſooneſt done to alleviate