sleep there, but I'm going to pass the night in the store."

We assured her that we could not consent to any such arrangement. That
all our papers and every thing that we possessed in the world was in the
store, and that we could not think of leaving under any consideration
whatever.

"Well, who wants you to leave?" she demanded, with a flash of her
amorous eyes, that would have told powerfully on men of more nerve than
ourselves; "there can be no harm if I stay here. You are men of honor, I
suppose?"

Again did her large, black eyes fall upon me, but I was blind to her
blandishments and arts; and, at length, Maria appeared to entertain the
same opinion, for she threw out signals to Fred, and when she found that
they were not answered, she commenced the practice of a thousand arts,
which a woman knows so well how to use, to make him feel an interest in
her welfare. But all her play was useless, and even when she pretended
that her hair, long, black, and wavy, fell around her shoulders
accidentally, and when she laughed, and threw it back from her fresh,
child-like face, we were not melted, for we remembered that she had a
husband, and that his rights were sacred.

Her bold challenge was unheeded, and Maria felt that she was defeated,
even where she was sure of victory. She had, apparently, entertained a
different idea respecting us, and for a few minutes she sat looking
humbled, but not ashamed. It seemed a pity that one so fair should be so
rude and vile; but the streets of London soon corrupt, and the haunt
from whence Maria graduated is notorious for its wantons.

We pitied her husband, although we had only known and employed him for a
short time, yet we had found him honest and industrious, and apparently
disposed to do well. I could see that he felt grateful for the course
which we had pursued, and I determined to have a long talk with him,
upon the first favorable opportunity, in regard to his future prospects.

"Well," Maria muttered, after sitting in silence for a short time,
suddenly starting up, "if I am to be turned out of doors. I suppose that
I must go without delay. Come along, old man, if you are coming," she
continued, addressing her husband, and the latter obediently followed to
the tent, which we had been to some pains to prepare for her.

"Thank Heaven, she has gone," said Smith, fervently, raising his head,
like a camel after a cloud of dust had passed over a desert; "only think
what my wife w