mmunicate to you. _We are discovered!_'

'These fatal words were uttered in a low whisper; but yet I doubt not
that my father had heard them. I could see that my mother trembled
violently--yet she spoke not a syllable.

'Yes,' continued the minister, all unconscious of the disclosure he was
making to my father--'Your daughter knows all. She suspected, it seems,
the real object of our last interview, when, you recollect, we indulged
in a little amative dalliance.--On New Year's evening, during your
absence, I called here and saw your daughter, when she reproached me for
having debauched you, stating in what manner she had seen the whole
affair. Since then, I have had no opportunity of informing you that she
knew our intimacy.'

'Still my mother uttered not a single word!'

'This girl,' continued the minister,'must be made to hold her tongue,
somehow or other: it would be dreadful to have it reach your husband's
ears. But why are you so taciturn to-day, my dear? Come, let us enjoy
the present, and dismiss all fear for the future. But first we must make
sure that there are no listeners _this_ time,' and he approached the
door.

'I retreated precipitately, and slipped into another room, while he
opened the chamber; seeing no-one on the outside, he closed it again,
and locked it. I instantly resumed my station; and I saw the minister
approach my mother, (who appeared spell-bound,) and clasp her in his
arms. He was about to proceed to the usual extreme of his criminality
when my father uttered an expression of rage; I instantly ran into the
room which had before served me as a hiding place, and in a moment more
my father was at the door of my mother's chamber, demanding admission.
After a short delay, the door was opened; and then a scene ensued which
defies my powers of description.

''Tis needless to dwell upon the particulars of what followed. My father
raved, the pastor entreated, and my mother wept. But after an hour or
so, the tempest subsided; the parties arriving at the reasonable
conclusion, that what was done could not be undone. Finally it was
arranged that Mr. Flanders should pay my father a considerable sum of
money, upon condition that the affair be hushed up.--My mother was
promised forgiveness for her fault--and as I was the only person likely
to divulge the matter, it was agreed that I should be placed under
restraint, and not suffered to leave the house, until such time as I
should solemnly swear neve