Can I say to him who may seek her in marriage, and whom I may approve as a husband,--'Take her! she has never deceived me, and will never deceive you ?' No.

She _has_ deceived me, and will, therefore, deceive others.

I do not know the precise truth of the story of her abduction (if such it was) by Leonard Holt, neither do I wish to know it, because I might be compelled to act with greater severity than I desire towards her.

But I know enough to satisfy me she has been excessively imprudent, and has placed herself voluntarily in situations of the utmost jeopardy." "Not voluntarily," returned Mrs.Bloundel.

"She has been lured into difficulties by others." "No more!" interrupted the grocer, sternly.