There is much in the dictates of your own heart; for to those who are in the grace of the Lord He vouchsafes to communicate His pleasure by spiritual hints and inward suggestions!" "If so, my dear sir, the matter is decided; for my heart whispers me that this slight deviation from truth would be a less culpable offence than turning so young and, I had almost said, so innocent a creature adrift upon the world.

I may take your opinion as my sanction." "Why, really, I can scarcely say so much as that," said the banker, with a slight smile.

"A deviation from truth cannot be incurred without some forfeiture of strict duty." "Not in any case?
Alas, I was afraid so!" said Mrs.Leslie, despondingly.
"In any case! Oh, there _may_ be cases! But had I not better see the young woman, and ascertain that your benevolent heart has not deceived you ?" "I wish you would," said Mrs.Leslie; "she is now in the house.

I will ring for her." "Should we not be alone ?" "Certainly; I will leave you together." Alice was sent for, and appeared.
"This pious gentleman," said Mrs.Leslie, "will confer with you for a few moments, my child.

Do not be afraid; he is the best of men." With these words of encouragement the good lady vanished, and Alice saw before her a tall dark man, with a head bald in front, yet larger behind than before, with spectacles upon a pair of shrewd, penetrating eyes, and an outline of countenance that showed he must have been handsome in earlier manhood.
"My young friend," said the banker, seating himself, after a deliberate survey of the fair countenance that blushed beneath his gaze, "Mrs.
Leslie and myself have been conferring upon your temporal welfare.