never do for you to consult her now, Mary, for she does not
know Mr. Fenwick as you and I know him. She will judge of him, as
will your father, from appearances, and forbid you to keep his
company."

"I am sure that such will be the case, and you cannot tell how it
troubles me. From childhood up I have been taught to confide in
them, and, except in this thing, have never once deceived them. The
idea of doing so now, is one that gives me constant pain. I feel
that I have not acted wisely in this matter."

"Nonsense, Mary! Parents never think with their children in these
matters. It would make no odds whom you happened to love, they would
most certainly oppose you. I never yet knew a young lady whose
parents fully approved her choice of a husband."

"I feel very certain that mine will not approve my choice; and I
cannot bear the idea of their displeasure. Sometimes I feel half
determined to tell them all, let the consequences be what they may."

"Oh no, no, Mary! not for the world. They would no doubt take steps
to prevent your again meeting each other."

"What, then, shall I do, Mrs. Martindale?"

"See Mr. Fenwick whenever an opportunity offers, and leave the rest
to me. I will advise you when and how to act."

The almost involuntary admissions made by Mary in this conversation,
were at once conveyed to the ears of Fenwick, who soon sought an
opportunity openly to declare his love. Of course, his suit was not
rejected. Thus, under the advice and direction of a most injudicious
woman, who had betrayed the confidence placed in her, was a young
girl, unacquainted with life, innocent and unsuspicious, wooed and
won, and her parents wholly ignorant of the circumstance.

Thoughts of marriage follow quickly a declaration of love. Once with
the prize in view, Fenwick was eager to have it wholly in his
possession. Mrs. Martindale was, of course, the mutual friend and
adviser, and she urged an immediate clandestine marriage. For many
weeks Mary resisted the persuasions of both. Fenwick and Mrs.
Martindale; but at last, in a state of half distraction of mind, she
consented to secretly leave her father's house, and throw herself
upon the protection of one she had not known for six months, and of
whose true character she had no certain knowledge.

"Mary is out a great deal of late, it seems to me," Mr. Lester
remarked, as he sat alone with his wife one evening about ten
o'clock.

"So I was just thinking. There is, scarc