grace upon his house."

"I see it, sir; but what if I still proceed?"

"You cannot."

"I can."

"On what plan?"

"On your own written promise."

"You have no such promise."

"Do you deny giving it?"

"I do."

"Then your own hand-writing will condemn you."

"Be certain of that before you proceed."

"You know I _have_ such a document."

"I know you have _not_."

"Then I will prove it."

And she went in search of the paper, where she had carefully placed it
away. But no paper was to be found! What could have become of it? She
returned.

"Well, let me see your 'document,' as you term it," he said, in a taunting
manner.

"It has been misplaced by some means, but I will find it in time to answer
my purpose."

"Perhaps."

"Durant, you _know_ I have such a paper, and what is the use of denying
it?"

"Again, I repeat, I know no such thing." Then after a pause, he continued:
"We might as well understand each other at once."

He produced a paper, and went on: "Here, I suppose, is the article you
speak of. I see it is in my hand-writing, and lest by any chance it should
again fall into your hands, I will destroy it."

And holding it in the candle, it was soon reduced to ashes. The outwitted
girl sat dumb with astonishment, surprise and dismay, and, for several
seconds, was speechless. When utterance came, she inquired:

"How, in the name of reason, did you get that paper in your possession?"

"I will be frank: I watched you putting it away, and the next day I went
and took it."

"And this is my reward for the signal service you demanded as the price of
that written promise?"

"My continued love will be your reward."

"_Your_ love! Think you, vile miscreant, I would have the base semblance of
affection from such a polluted thing as you? No, sir! Now that I see your
depravity, worlds would not tempt me to wed you, degraded as I am! How I
have remained blinded so long is a mystery I cannot solve, in the
overwhelming light of this hour. Thank God, I am even with you!--Yes, thank
Him from the bottom of my heart! You have deceived me, but in this instance
I am not behind you. Ellen Walton left this house as pure as she entered
it! Think you I had no object in all my restrictions of time, of secrecy
and darkness? I had. One hour in the society of Miss Walton, convinced me
of her unsullied purity, and another of your baseness. I resolved to save
her at all hazards; and I did. My only regret _now_ is, th