Such an expression of innocence and dignity combined I have seldom come across.

Now, can I help them?
It is an extraordinary thing, but I have a wonderful fellow-feeling for them.

I can never forget the old days when I too was alone in London, and you took me up.

Do you remember how you met me, and took my thin and dirty hands in yours, and looked into my face and said: 'Surely this is a gentleman's son, although he is clothed in rags ?' I could just remember that I was a gentleman's son, and that I used to put my arms round a beautiful lady's neck and kiss her, and call her mother.
Between her face and me there was a great horror of darkness, and suffering, and ill-usage; and my memories were feeble and dream-like.
I don't even now recall them more vividly.

You took me up, and--you know the rest of my history.
"Well, it is a strange thing, but those girls, especially that little Jasmine, brought back the memory of the lady whose sweet face I used to kiss.