I could only inquire whether she had money enough to pay her traveling expenses.

Her reply informed me that the chaplain of the hospital had mentioned her forlorn situation in the town, and that the English residents had subscribed a small sum of money to enable her to return to her own country.

Satisfied on this head, I asked next if she had friends to go to in England.

"I have one friend," she answered, "who is a host in herself--Lady Janet Roy." You may imagine my surprise when I heard this.

I found it quite useless to make any further inquiries as to how she came to know your aunt, whether your aunt expected her, and so on.