Besides, I was in search of information and got it from her during our talk.

My object in going to the village was to see a woman who, I had been told, was living there.

I now heard that her cottage was close by, but unfortunately, while anxious to see her, I had no excuse for calling.
"Do you think," said I to my young hostess, "that it would do to tell her that I had heard something of her strange history and misfortunes, and wished to offer her a little help?
Is she very poor ?" "Oh, no," she replied.

"Please do not offer her money, if you see her.
She would be offended.

There is no one in this village who would take a shilling as a gift from a stranger.