female child and a French dog. The man--gentleman, perhaps I may call
him, judging from his conversation--interested me much; so did the little
girl. And if I could be the means of directing real friends anxious to
serve them--"

Mrs. CRANE.--"You would indeed be a benefactor. And where are they now,
sir?"

OXONIAN.--"That I cannot positively tell you. But before I say more,
will you kindly satisfy my curiosity? He is perhaps an eccentric
person,--this Mr. Waife?--a little--" The Oxonian stopped, and touched
his forehead. Mrs. Crane made no prompt reply: she was musing. Unwarily
the scholar continued: "Because, in that case, I should not like to
interfere."

MRS. CRANE.--"Quite right, sir. His own friends would not interfere with
his roving ways, his little whims on any account. Poor man, why should
they? He has no property for them to covet. But it is a long story. I
had the care of that dear little girl from her infancy, sweet child!"

OXONIAN.--"So she seems."

MRS. CRANE.--"And now she has a most comfortable home provided for her;
and a young girl, with good friends, ought not to be tramping about the
country, whatever an old man may do. You must allow that, sir?"

OXONIAN.--"Well,--yes, I allow that; it occurred to me. But what is the
man?--the gentleman?"

MRS. CRANE.--"Very 'eccentric,' as you say, and inconsiderate, perhaps,