He apologized for the liberty of addressing me, and, at the same time, inquired if I understood the French language.
"Being answered in the affirmative, he proceeded to tell me that in the stage, just arrived, had come a passenger, a youth who appeared to be French, who was wholly unacquainted with our language, and who had been seized with a violent disease.
"My informant had felt compassion for the forlorn condition of the stranger, and had just been seeking me at my lodgings, in hope that my knowledge of French would enable me to converse with the sick man, and obtain from him a knowledge of his situation and views.
"The apprehensions I had precipitately formed were thus removed, and I readily consented to perform this service.

The youth was, indeed, in a deplorable condition.

Besides the pains of his disease, he was overpowered by dejection.

The innkeeper was extremely anxious for the removal of his guest.

He was by no means willing to sustain the trouble and expense of a sick or a dying man, for which it was scarcely probable that he should ever be reimbursed.