The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

TIIE SECRET WITNESS.

93

formerly permitted him to inspect had made him familiar
with her handwriting. The penmanship was, indeed,
similar, yet this was written in a spirit not quite congenial with that which had dictated her letters to her
lover. But he reflected that the emergency was extraordinary, and that the new scenes through which she had
passed had, perhaps, enabled her to retrieve her virtue
and enforce it. The picture which she drew of her father's distresses affected him and his companion very
differently. He pondered on it for some time in silence;
he then looked up, and, with his usual abruptness, said,
"I suppose you gave her something?"
"No. I was extremely sorry that it was not in my
power. I have nothing but a little trifling silver about
me. I have no more at home than will barely suffice to
pay my board here, and my expenses to Baltimore. Till
I reach there I cannot expect a supply. I was less uneasy, I confess, on this account, because I knew you to
be equally willing and much more able to afford the relief she asks."
This Mr. Ormond had predetermined to do. He
paused only to deliberate in what manner it could, with
most propriety, be done. He was always willing, when
he conferred benefits, to conceal the author. He was
not displeased when gratitude was misplaced, and readily
allowed his instruments to act as if they were principals.
He questioned not the veracity of Craig, and was, therefore, desirous to free him fiom the molestation that was
threatened in the way which had been prescribed. He
put a note of one hundred dollars into his hand, and enjoined him to send it to the Dudleys that evening, or
early the next morning. "I am pleased," he added,
"with the style of this letter: it can be of no service to
you; leave it in my possession."
Craig would much rather have thrown it into the fire;
but he knew the character of his companion, and was
afraid to make any objection to his request. He promised to send or carry the note the next morning, before
he set out on his intended journey.
This journey was to Baltimore, and was undertaken
so soon merely to oblige his friend, who was desirous of