e you. I only wish that you would let me prove it."

"First, Mary, tell me as much of your own history as you choose to tell;
I wish to know it."

Mary then entered into the details of her marriage, her husband's
conduct, her subsequent career, and her determination to lead a new
life, which she had so sincerely proved by her late conduct.

Mary having concluded her narrative, Mrs Austin addressed her thus:--

"Mary, if you imagine that you have fallen in my good opinion, after
what you have confessed to me, you are much mistaken; you have, on the
contrary, been raised. There have been few, very few, that have had the
courage and fortitude that you have shown, or who could have succeeded
as you have done. I was afraid to trust you before, but now I am not.
I will not ask you not to betray me, for I am sure you will not. On two
points only my lips are sealed; and the reason why they are sealed is
that the secret is not mine alone, and I have not permission to divulge
it. That I am deeply interested in that boy is certain; nay, that he is
a near and very dear connection is also the case; but what his exact
relationship is towards me I must not at present say. You have asserted
your belief of his innocence, and I tell you that you are right; he did
not do the deed; I know who did, but I dare not reveal the name."

"That is exactly what Joey said to me, madam," observed Mary, "and,
moreover, that he never would reveal it, even if he were on his trial."

"I do not think that he ever will, Mary," rejoined Mrs Austin, bursting
into tears. "Poor boy! it is horrible that he should suffer for an
offence that he has not committed."

"Surely, madam, if he is found guilty they will not hang him, he was
such a child."

"I scarcely know."

"It's very odd that his father and mother have disappeared in the manner
they did; I think it is very suspicious," observed Mary.

"You must, of course, have your own ideas from what you have already
heard," replied Mrs Austin, in a calm tone; "but, as I have already
said, my lips on that subject are sealed. What I wish you to do, Mary,
is not at first to let him know that I am interested about him, or even
that I know anything about him. Make all the inquiries you can as to
what is likely to be the issue of the affair, and, when you have seen
him, you must then come back and tell me all that he says, and all that
has taken place."

"I will, madam."

"You had better go away ea