nful to you to reveal the circumstances--in the
interests of the gentleman's future prospects--to some discreet person
(a legal person would be best) who is not, what I am, a stranger to you
both?"

The lady declared herself willing to make any sacrifice, on those
conditions--no matter how painful it might be--for her friend's sake.

Mr. Crum considered a little longer, and then delivered his word of
advice:

"At the present stage of the affair," he said, "I need only tell you
what is the first step that you ought to take under the circumstances.
Inform the gentleman at once--either by word of mouth or by writing--of
the position in which he stands: and authorize him to place the case in
the hands of a person known to you both, who is competent to decide on
what you are to do next. Do I understand that you know of such a person
so qualified?"

The lady answered that she knew of such a person.

Mr. Crum asked if a day had been fixed for the gentleman's marriage.

The lady answered that she had made this inquiry herself on the last
occasion when she had seen the gentleman's betrothed wife. The marriage
was to take place, on a day to be hereafter chosen, at the end of the
autumn.

"That," said Mr. Crum, "is a fortunate circumstance. You have time
before you. Time is, here, of very great importance. Be careful not to
waste it."

The lady said she would return to her hotel and write by that night's
post, to warn the gentleman of the position in which he stood, and to
authorize him to refer the matter to a competent and trust-worthy friend
known to them both.

On rising to leave the room she was seized with giddiness, and with some
sudden pang of pain, which turned her deadly pale and forced her to
drop back into her chair. Mr. Crum had no wife; but he possessed a
housekeeper--and he offered to send for her. The lady made a sign in the
negative. She drank a little water, and conquered the pain. "I am sorry
to have alarmed you," she said. "It's nothing--I am better now." Mr.
Crum gave her his arm, and put her into the cab. She looked so pale and
faint that he proposed sending his housekeeper with her. No: it was only
five minutes' drive to the hotel. The lady thanked him--and went her way
back by herself.

"The letter!" she said, when she was alone. "If I can only live long
enough to write the letter!"

CHAPTER THE THIRTIETH.

ANNE IN THE NEWSPAPERS.

MRS. KARNEGIE was a woman of feeble intelligence and vio