thin earshot. "Don't tell me. She
knows, Miss Leigh, very well what she's about. Is it no crime, think
you, to endeavour to attract the attention of Major F.? My dear Madam,"
turning to the great lady, who with her head languidly propped by her
hand, was eagerly listening to a conversation which so nearly concerned
her: "I wonder you can bear so calmly her flirtations with your husband.
If it were me now, I should be ready to tear her eyes out. Do speak to
the creature, and remonstrate with her on her scandalous conduct."

"Ah, my dear Miss Mann, I am used to these things," sighed Mrs. F. "No
conduct of the Major's can give me the least uneasiness now. Nor do I
think, that Mrs. Dalton is aware that she is trying to seduce the
affections of a _married_ man."

"That she is though," exclaimed Miss Mann, triumphantly. "I took care to
interrupt one of their lively conversations, by telling Major F. that
his wife was ill, and wished to see him. Mrs. Dalton coloured, and moved
away; but the moment my back was turned, she recommenced her attack. If
she were a widow, one might make some allowance for her. But a young
married woman, with two small children! I have no doubt that she left
her husband for no good."

"She was married very young, to a man more than double her own age,"
said Miss Leigh. "The match was made for her by her friends--especially
by her grandmother, who now resides in Edinburgh, and whom I know very
well; a woman of considerable property, by whom Mrs. Dalton was brought
up. She was always a gay, flighty girl, dreadfully indulged, and used
from a child to have her own way. I consider her lot peculiarly hard,
in being united, when a mere girl, to a man whom she had scarcely seen a
dozen times, and whom she did not love. The worst that can be said of
her is, that she is vain and imprudent; but I can never believe that she
is the bad, designing woman you would make her."

"Her conduct is very creditable for a clergyman's wife," sneered the old
maid. "I wonder the rain don't bring her down into the cabin. But the
society of ladies would prove very insipid to a person of her peculiar
taste. I should like to know what brings her from Jamaica?"

"If it will satisfy your doubts, I can inform you," said Miss Leigh,
with a quiet smile. "To place her two children with her grandmother,
that they may receive an European education. She is a thoughtless being,
but hardly deserves your severe censures."

The amiable ma