was the grim reply.

"Why not?"

"Because I have sworn never to say an angry word to her again; and, if
I was to go there, I should say a good many angry ones. Oh, when I think
that her folly drove me to sea, to do my best for her, and that I was
nearer death for that woman than ever man was, and lost my reason for
her, and went through toil and privations, hunger, exile, mainly
for her, and then to find the banns cried in open church, with that
scoundrel!--say no more, uncle. I shall never reproach her, and never
forgive her."

"She was deceived."

"I don't doubt that; but nobody has a right to be so great a fool as all
that."

"It was not her folly, but her innocence, that was imposed on. You a
philosopher, and not know that wisdom itself is sometimes imposed on,
and deceived by cunning folly! Have you forgotten your Milton?--

"'At Wisdom's gate, Suspicion sleeps,
And deems no ill where no ill seems.'

"Come, come! are you sure you are not a little to blame? Did you write
home the moment you found you were not dead?"

Christopher colored high.

"Evidently not," said the keen old man. "Ah, my fine fellow! have I
found the flaw in your own armor?"

"I did wrong, but it was for her. I sinned for her. I could not bear her
to be without money, and I knew the insurance--I sinned for her. She has
sinned AGAINST me."

"And she had much better have sinned against God, hadn't she? He is more
forgiving than we perfect creatures that cheat insurance companies. And
so, my fine fellow, you hid the truth from her for two or three months."

No answer.

"Strike off those two or three months; would the banns have ever been
cried?"

"Well, uncle," said Christopher, hard pressed, "I am glad she has got a
champion; and I hope you will always keep your eye on her."

"I mean to."

"Good-morning."

"No; don't be in a hurry. I have something else to say, not so
provoking. Do you know the arts by which she was made to believe you
wished her to marry again?"

"I wished her to marry again! Are you mad, uncle?"

"Whose handwriting is on this envelope?"

"Mine, to be sure."

"Now, read the letter."

Christopher read the forged letter.

"Oh, monstrous!"

"This was given her with your ruby ring, and a tale so artful that
nothing we read about the devil comes near it. This was what did it. The
Earl of Tadcaster brought her title, and wealth, and love."

"What, he too! The little cub I saved, and lost mys