n stronger evidence
against the parties, but you have my secret--act upon it as you think
best."

This conversation will sufficiently explain itself. A father desires his
daughter to marry against her will, because a wealthy suitor proposes for
her hand, but she cannot accede to his wishes, because, we presume, she has
a romantic notion that _love_ ought to have something to do, in making
matrimonial connections.

The father was somewhat taken aback by the revelations of the daughter at
the close of their interview, and left her to ponder on the subject, and,
if possible, to ascertain the truth as to the guilt or innocence of the
parties suspected.

Duffel, from some source, obtained an inkling of how matters stood, and
seeing the father, had a long interview with him in private. What was the
purport of his part of the conference, and the object he had in view, may
be gathered from the following passage between father and daughter.

"So, ho, my girl, you thought to deceive me concerning young Duffel, did
you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You would have me believe him a horse-thief and a bird for the
penitentiary?" he went on, without seeming to notice her interposition.
"Well, your well-devised scheme has failed of its object, and I have at
once revealed to me its purpose and end, and its originator."

"I do not understand you, sir!"

"Oh, no! very ignorant all of a sudden! You forgot one of the most material
portions of your revelation to me the other day, and that was _the name of
your confederate_ in concocting that story of the guilty associations of
Willard Duffel."

"I had no associate, and I have never mentioned the circumstance to a
living soul except yourself. Now, please be equally frank, and tell who
your confederate is in this plot to make your daughter out a hypocrite and
a liar?"

The father was startled by this bold demand, which, indeed, opened his eyes
to the enormity of his child's wickedness, if his charges against her were
true; but he had set his face to one point, and not being easily turned
aside from a purpose, proceeded:

"I am not to be deceived by a show of indignation and virtue, when it is
assumed for effect. You need not put yourself to the trouble of a denial or
confession; I know who is associated with you to traduce Duffel; it is no
other than the one who stands between you and the man of my choice--a poor
beggarly fellow, to whom you have taken a fancy because of his
worthless