“I am a little thoughtful, or abstracted, just as you please,” replied the individual addressed.

“Are you, indeed?  May I ask the reason?”

“The reason hardly seems to be a sufficient one—­and, therefore, I will not jeopardize your good opinion of me by mentioning it.”

“O, very well!  I am content to have my friends conceal from me their weaknesses.”

The two young men then walked on arm and arm for some distance.  They seemed to be walking more for the sake of a little conversation than for any thing else, for they went slowly, and after winding about among the labyrinthine streets for ten or twenty minutes, took their way back again.

“There she is again, as I live!” Perkins exclaimed, half pausing, as the young woman he had seen at the tailor’s passed quickly by them on their turning a corner.

“You’ve noticed her before, then?” remarked the friend, whose name was Milford.

“I saw her a little while ago in a clothing store; and her appearance instantly arrested my attention.  Do you know who she is?”

“I do not.  But I’d give something to know.  You saw her in a clothing store?”

“Yes.  In the shop of that close-fisted Berlaps.  She is one of his seamstresses—­a new one, by the way—­to whom he has just given work.  So he informed me.”

“Indeed!  She must be in great extremity to work for his pay.  It is only the next remove, I am told, from actual starvation.”

“But tell me what you know of her, Milford.  She seems to have attracted your notice, as well as mine.”

“I know nothing of her whatever,” replied the young man, “except that I have met her five or six times during the last two weeks, upon the Warren Bridge, on her way to Charlestown.  Something in her appearance arrested my attention the first time I saw her.  But I have never been able to catch more than a glimpse of her face.  Her vail is usually drawn.”

“Who can she visit in Charlestown?”

“No one, I have good reason to think.”

“Why so?”

“I had once the curiosity to follow her as far as I deemed it prudent and courteous.  She kept on entirely through the town—­at least through the thickly settled portion of it.  Her step was too quick for the step of one who was merely going to pay a friendly visit.”

“You have had, if I understand you, at least a glimpse of her countenance?”

“Yes.  Once, in passing her, her vail was half drawn aside, as if to get a freer draught of air.”

“And her face?”

“Was thin and pale.”

“And beautiful?”

“So I should call it.  Not pretty—­not a mere doll’s face—­but intellectually beautiful; yet full of softness.  In fact, the face of a woman with a mind and heart.  But sorrow had touched her—­and pain.  And, above all, the marks of crushed affection were too plainly visible upon her young countenance.  All this could be seen at the single glance I obtained, before her vail was drawn hurriedly down.”