ely an evening now in the
week that she has not an engagement somewhere."

"I cannot say that I much approve of such a course myself. There is
always danger of a girl, just at Mary's age, forming injudicious
preferences for young men, if she be thrown much into their company,
unattended by a proper adviser."

"Mrs. Martindale is very fond of Mary, and I believe is with her a
good deal."

"Mrs. Martindale? Humph! Do you know that I have no great confidence
in that woman?"

"Why?"

"Have you forgotten the hand she had in bringing about that most
unfortunate marriage of Caroline Howell?"

"I had almost forgotten it. Or, rather, I never paid much attention
to the rumour in regard to her interference in the matter; because,
you know, people will talk."

"And to some purpose, often; at least, I am persuaded that there is
truth in all that is alleged in this instance. And now that my
thoughts begin to run in this way, I do really feel concerned lest
the reason of Mary's frequent absence of late, in company with Mrs.
Martindale, has some reference to a matter of this kind. Have you
not observed some change in her of late?"

"She has not been very cheerful for the last two or three months."

"So I have once or twice thought, but supposed it was only my
imagination. If this, then, be true, it is our duty to be on our
guard--to watch over Mary with a careful eye, and to know
particularly into what company she goes."

"I certainly agree with you that we ought to do so. Heaven grant
that our watchfulness do not come too late!" Mrs. Lester said, a
sudden feeling of alarm springing up in her bosom.

"It is a late hour for her to be from home, and we not apprized of
where she is," the father remarked anxiously.

"It is, indeed. She has rarely stayed out later than nine o'clock."

"Who has been in the habit of coming home with her?"

"Usually Mrs. Martindale has accompanied her home, and this fact has
thrown me off my guard."

"It should have put you on your guard; for a woman like Mrs.
Martindale, gossiping about as she does, night after night, with
young folks, cannot, it seems to me, have the best ends in view."

"She seems to be a very well-disposed woman."

"That is true. And yet I have been several times persuaded that she
was one of the detestable tribe of match-makers."

"Surely not."

"I am afraid that it is too true. And if it be so, Mary is in
dangerous company."

"Indeed she is. From this time for