eepest sympathy, "I see that you have met with a great
misfortune. Pardon me, if--"

"You shall know all," said I; and then I proceeded to make her
acquainted with all that had happened to me since the occurrence of the
William street tragedy. Of course, I did not omit to give her the full
particulars of my fatal affray with Jack Slack, as that accounted for
the "great misfortune" to which she had alluded. When I had finished my
narration, the lady sighed deeply and said--

"Ah, my friend, we have both been made the victims of cruel misfortune.
You see me to-day penniless and destitute; I, formerly so rich, courted
and admired. Have you the time and patience to listen to my melancholy
story?"

I eagerly answered in the affirmative; and Mrs. Raymond spoke as
follows:--

"After that terrible affair in William street--the recollection of which
still curdles my blood with horror--I took up my abode in a private
family at the lower end of Broadway. I soon formed the acquaintance of a
gentleman of fine appearance, and agreeable address, named Livingston,
who enjoyed the enviable reputation of being a person of wealth and a
man of honor. I was pleased with him, and noticing my partiality, he
made violent love to me. Tired of living the life of a single
woman--desirous of securing a protection, and wishing to become an
honorable wife instead of a mistress--I did not reject him, for he moved
in the very highest circles, and seemed to be in every way
unobjectionable. I will not weary you with the details of our courtship;
suffice it to say that we were married. We took an elegant house in one
of the up-town avenues; and, for a time, all went well. After a while, I
discovered that my husband had no fortune whatever; but I loved him too
well to reproach him--and besides, he had never represented himself to
me as being a man of wealth; it was the circle in which he moved which
had bestowed upon him that reputation. Also, I considered that my
fortune was sufficient for us both. Therefore, the discovery of his
poverty did not in the least diminish my regard for him. It was not long
before the extensive demands which he kept constantly making upon my
purse, alarmed me; I feared that he had fallen into habits of gambling;
and I ventured to remonstrate with him upon his extravagance. He
confessed his fault, entreated my forgiveness, and promised amendment.
Of course, I forgave him; for a loving wife can forgive anything in her
husba