He found Goodwin, his wife, and Sarah Sullivan in the parlor, which he had scarcely entered when Mr.Goodwin got up, and, approaching him in a state of great alarm and excitement, exclaimed,-- "Good Heavens, Mr.Woodward! can this dreadful intelligence which we have heard be true ?" "O, you have heard it, then," replied Woodward.

"Alas! yes, it is too true, and my unfortunate brother lies with life barely in him, but without the slightest hope of recovery.

As for myself I am in a state of absolute distraction; and were it not that I possess the consciousness of having done everything in my power as a friend and brother to withdraw him from this unfortunate intrigue, I think I should become fairly crazed.

Miss Goodwin has for some time past been aware of my deep anxiety upon this very subject, because I deemed it a solemn duty on my part to let her know that ha had degraded himself by this low attachment to such a girl, and was consequently utterly unworthy of her affection.
I could not see the innocence and purity imposed upon, nor her generous confidence placed on an unworthy object.

This, however, is not a time to deal harshly by him.