hardly water enough there to cover the multiplicity of his
sorrows.

But something must be done. He had proceeded so far in forming a
resolution, as he reached St. David's Church on his return homewards.
His sagacious friend had told him that as soon as he had altered
his mind, he was bound to let the lady know of it without delay.
"You must remember," said the sagacious friend, "that you will owe
her much,--very much." Mr. Gibson was perplexed in his mind when he
reflected how much he might possibly be made to owe her if she should
decide on appealing to a jury of her countrymen for justice. But
anything would be better than his home at St. Peter's-cum-Pumpkin
with Camilla sitting opposite to him as his wife. Were there not
distant lands in which a clergyman, unfortunate but still energetic,
might find work to do? Was there not all America?--and were there
not Australia, New Zealand, Natal, all open to him? Would not a
missionary career among the Chinese be better for him than St.
Peter's-cum-Pumpkin with Camilla French for his wife? By the time he
had reached home his mind was made up. He would write a letter to
Camilla at once; and he would marry Arabella at once,--on any day
that might be fixed,--on condition that Camilla would submit to her
defeat without legal redress. If legal redress should be demanded, he
would put in evidence the fact that her own mother had been compelled
to caution the tradesmen of the city in regard to her extravagance.

He did write his letter,--in an agony of spirit. "I sit down,
Camilla, with a sad heart and a reluctant hand," he said,

to communicate to you a fatal truth. But truth should be
made to prevail, and there is nothing in man so cowardly,
so detrimental, and so unmanly as its concealment. I have
looked into myself, and have inquired of myself, and have
assured myself, that were I to become your husband, I
should not make you happy. It would be of no use for me
now to dilate on the reasons which have convinced me;--but
I am convinced, and I consider it my duty to inform you so
at once. I have been closeted with your mother, and have
made her understand that it is so.

I have not a word to say in my own justification but
this,--that I am sure I am acting honestly in telling you
the truth. I would not wish to say a word animadverting
on yourself. If there must be blame in this matter, I am
willing to take it all on my own shou