.«
    »Have you no guess?«
    »None.«
    »If I knew you better, I might be tempted to risk some confidence, and thus
secure you as guardian over a most innocent and excellent, but somewhat
inexperienced being.«
    »As a duenna?« I asked.
    »Yes,« said he abstractedly. »What snares are round her!« he added musingly:
and now, certainly for the first time, he examined my face, anxious, doubtless,
to see if any kindly expression there, would warrant him in recommending to my
care and indulgence some ethereal creature, against whom powers of darkness were
plotting. I felt no particular vocation to undertake the surveillance of
ethereal creatures; but recalling the scene at the bureau, it seemed to me that
I owed him a good turn: if I could help him then I would, and it lay not with me
to decide how. With as little reluctance as might be, I intimated that »I was
willing to do what I could towards taking care of any person in whom he might be
interested.«
    »I am no farther interested than as a spectator,« said he, with a modesty,
admirable, as I thought, to witness. »I happen to be acquainted with the rather
worthless character of the person who, from the house opposite, has now twice
invaded the sanctity of this place; I have also met in society the object at
whom these vulgar attempts are aimed. Her exquisite superiority and innate
refinement ought, one would think, to scare impertinence from her very idea. It
is not so, however; and innocent, unsuspicious as she is, I would guard her from
evil if I could. In person, however, I can do nothing: I cannot come near her« -
he paused.
    »Well, I am willing to help you,« said I, »only tell me how.« And busily, in
my own mind, I ran over the list of our inmates, seeking this paragon, this
pearl of great price, this gem without flaw. »It must be madame,« I concluded. »
She only, amongst us all, has the art even to seem superior: but as to being
unsuspicious, inexperienced, etc., Dr. John need not distract himself about
that. However, this is just his whim, and I will not contradict him; he shall be
humoured: his angel shall be an angel.«
    »Just notify the quarter to which my care is to be directed,« I continued
gravely: chuckling,