a hard case like this, the
circumstances would be very much taken into consideration. Very likely
it would be only a nominal punishment. The fatal consequences are not to
the man, but to the woman---- I mean the second wife."

"But she knows nothing about it, sir. Why should she be punished? It's
no doing of hers. She don't know."

"Then, my good girl, you should warn her. Though she knows nothing about
it, and is quite innocent, it is upon her chiefly that the consequences
will fall. She will not be his wife at all; her children, if she has any,
will be illegitimate. She will have no claim upon him, if he should
happen to be a bad fellow. In short, if she was married, even as Miss
Warrender is going to be to-morrow, by a bishop, Lizzie, it would be
simply no marriage at all."

Lizzie uttered a wild exclamation, clasping her hands--and said, "Oh,
sir, is there anything that a woman that wishes her well could do?"

"There is only one thing you can do: to warn her before it is too late.
Tell her she must break it off if it were at the last moment--if it
were at the very altar. She must not be allowed to sacrifice herself in
ignorance. I'll see her myself, if that will do any good."

"She's going to be married to-morrow," cried Lizzie breathlessly. "Oh,
sir, don't deceive me! there's not a creature that knows about it, not
one--and she the least of all. Oh, Mr. Wilberforce, how could any judge
or jury, or any one, have the heart to punish _her_?"

"Neither judge nor jury, my poor girl: but the law which says a man must
not marry another woman while his first wife is living. There are many
even who will not allow of a divorce in any circumstances; but I am not
so sure of that. Tell me who this poor girl is, and I will do my best to
warn her while there is time."

Lizzie rose up and sat down again, in nervous excitement She made a hall
of her handkerchief and pressed it alternately to each of her wet eyes.
"Oh, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do!" she cried.

"If there is anything that can be done to-night," he said,--"Quick,
Lizzie, there is no time to lose, for I must leave early to-morrow for
Miss Warrender's marriage."

"And there's not another train leaves to-night," cried Lizzie; then she
made an effort to compose herself, and a curtsy, rising from her seat.
"I must do it myself, sir, thank you all the same," she said, and went
away tottering and unsteady in her great trouble: yet only half beli