The duchess, to
her immortal honour, began the contribution with a crown; so that
the rest of the company were obliged to restrict their liberality
to half the sum, that her grace might not be affronted. And the
proposer, demanding the poor woman's name and place of abode, the
old mediator could not help giving her ladyship a verbal direction,
though he was extremely mortified, on more accounts than one, to
find such an issue to his solicitation.
Peregrine, who, "though humorous as winter, had a tear for pity,
and a hand open as day for melting charity," was shocked at the
nature and result of this ungenerous consultation. He contributed
his half-crown, however, and, retiring from the company, betook
himself to the lodgings of the forlorn lady in the straw, according
to the direction he had heard. Upon inquiry, he understood that
she was then visited by some charitable gentlewoman, who had sent
for a nurse, and waited the return of the messenger; and he sent
up his respects, desiring he might be permitted to see her, on
pretence of having been intimate with her late husband.
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