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CHAPTER II.

For some time after Richard Clifton had exchanged the quiet of agriculture for the bustle of commercial life, he read his Bible daily, and retained the habit of secret prayer which had been so carefully taught him in childhood.  But, at length, the Bible began to be neglected, and the altar of mammon was substituted for the altar of God.  In his business transactions, the laws of integrity were never disregarded, nor was his respect and reverence for religion laid aside, but he had no time to be religious.  When he became the head of a family, the Word of God lay unopened on his parlor table, and family worship was a thing unknown.  Though God had guarded him at home and abroad, on the sea and on the land, and had made him rich even to the extent of his most sanguine expectations, yet he had forgotten the source of his prosperity, and had never bowed his knee in thanksgiving.  The education of his wife, a daughter of one of the “merchant princes,” had been such that she found nothing to surprise or shock her in the practical atheism of her husband’s course.

On the morning after the occurrence of the events recorded in the chapter above, as Susan returned from the village post-office, she handed her uncle a letter.  Having perused it, he remarked—­

“I must return to the city tomorrow.  Will you go with me, Susan?”

“I should be delighted to do so, if father and mother could go with me.”

“I should be happy to have them go.  But suppose they do not?  You cannot expect to have them always with you.”

“Must you go so soon?” said Henry.  “You make a very short visit after so long a separation.”

“I must return to the city to-morrow; but my presence will be needed there only for a day or two.  If Susan will go with me, I will return here next week and spend a few days more with you.”

The matter was referred to Susan for decision.  Her desire to see the wonders of the great city, as well as to gratify her uncle, overcame the reluctance which she felt to be separated, even for so brief a period, from her happy home.

The preparations for her sudden journey required the assistance of several neighbors; and thus the news of her intended visit to the city spread quickly through the village.  There was, of course, much speculation concerning it.  Some said it was merely a passing visit.  Others said she had been adopted by her wealthy uncle, and was thenceforth to be a member of his family.  Some regarded the supposed adoption as fortunate, and rejoiced in it for Susan’s sake.  Others were envious, and were ingenious and eloquent in setting forth the evils which might ensue.  Some were sorry to see one so young and innocent exposed to the temptations of a city life.  A few were surprised that her parents should consent to have her leave them, even though it were to become the heiress of almost boundless wealth.