e, or means to make,
some use. You are aware of the artifice I employed to prevent any
possible evil consequences from any action of his. I have the genuine
document, of course. I wish you to go over with me to The Poplars, and I
should be glad to have good old Father Pemberton go with us; for it is a
serious matter, and will be a great surprise to more than one of the
family."

They walked together to the old house, where the old clergyman had lived
for more than half a century. He was used to being neglected by the
people who ran after his younger colleague; and the attention paid him in
asking him to be present on an important occasion, as he understood this
to be, pleased him greatly. He smoothed his long white locks, and called
a grand-daughter to help make him look fitly for such an occasion, and,
being at last got into his grandest Sunday aspect, took his faithful
staff, and set out with the two gentlemen for The Poplars. On the way,
Mr. Penhallow explained to him the occasion of their visit, and the
general character of the facts he had to announce. He wished the
venerable minister to prepare Miss Silence Withers for a revelation which
would materially change her future prospects. He thought it might be
well, also, if he would say a few words to Myrtle Hazard, for whom a new
life, with new and untried temptations, was about to open. His business
was, as a lawyer, to make known to these parties the facts just come to
his own knowledge affecting their interests. He had asked Mr. Gridley to
go with him, as having intimate relations with one of the parties
referred to, and as having been the principal agent in securing to that
party the advantages which were to accrue to her from the new turn of
events. "You are a second parent to her, Mr. Gridley," he said. "Your
vigilance, your shrewdness, and your-spectacles have saved her. I hope
she knows the full extent of her obligations to you, and that she will
always look to you for counsel in all her needs. She will want a wise
friend, for she is to begin the world anew."

What had happened, when she saw the three grave gentlemen at the door
early in the forenoon, Mistress Kitty Fagan could not guess. Something
relating to Miss Myrtle, no doubt: she wasn't goin' to be married right
off to Mr. Clement,--was she,--and no church, nor cake, nor anything?
The gentlemen were shown into the parlor. "Ask Miss Withers to go into
the library, Kitty," said Master Grid