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to her cheek, and taking her by the hand again, led her safe to the
gate of the hotel.


THE MYSTERY. PARIS.


If a man knows the heart, he will know it was impossible to go back
instantly to my chamber;--it was touching a cold key with a flat
third to it upon the close of a piece of music, which had call'd
forth my affections: --therefore, when I let go the hand of the
fille de chambre, I remained at the gate of the hotel for some
time, looking at every one who pass'd by,--and forming conjectures
upon them, till my attention got fix'd upon a single object which
confounded all kind of reasoning upon him.

It was a tall figure of a philosophic, serious, adust look, which
passed and repass'd sedately along the street, making a turn of
about sixty paces on each side of the gate of the hotel;--the man
was about fifty-two--had a small cane under his arm--was dress'd in
a dark drab-colour'd coat, waistcoat, and breeches, which seem'd to
have seen some years service: --they were still clean, and there
was a little air of frugal proprete throughout him. By his pulling
off his hat, and his attitude of accosting a good many in his way,
I saw he was asking charity: so I got a sous or two out of my
pocket ready to give him, as he took me in his turn.--He pass'd by
me without asking anything--and yet did not go five steps further
before he ask'd charity of a little woman.--I was much more likely
to have given of the two.--He had scarce done with the woman, when
he pull'd off his hat to another who was coming the same way.--An
ancient gentleman came slowly--and, after him, a young smart one.--
He let them both pass, and ask'd nothing. I stood observing him
half an hour, in which time he had made a dozen turns backwards and
forwards, and found that he invariably pursued the same plan.

There were two things very singular in this, which set my brain to
work, and to no purpose: --the first was, why the man should ONLY
tell his story to the sex;--and, secondly,--what kind of story it
was, and what species of eloquence it could be, which soften'd the
hearts of the women, which he knew 'twas to no purpose to practise
upon the men.

There were two other circumstances, which entangled this mystery;--
the one was, he told every woman what he had to say in her ear, and
in a way which had much more the air of a secret than a petition;--
the other was, it was always successful.--He never stopp'd a woman,
but she pull'd out her purse, and immediately gave him something.

I could form no system to explain the phenomenon.

I had got a riddle to amuse me for the rest of the evening; so I
walk'd upstairs to my chamber.


THE CASE OF CONSCIENCE. PARIS.


I was immediately followed up by the master of the hotel, who came
into my room to tell me I must provide lodgings elsewhere.--How so,
friend? said I.--He answered, I had had a young woman lock'd up

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