“I am persuaded her good opinion of Hadley has received a shock from which it will never recover.  That letter, in connection with his present disappearance, was too much for her faith.”

“And well it might be!  I do not see how any one could doubt his guilt in the face of such evidence.”

“Yet I think Eveline does doubt; but that the doubt will soon give place to full conviction, I am quite sure.  Once you can fix a partially formed belief of crime in the mind, and if the evidence continues, especially if it accumulates, there is a moral certainty of its producing the effect we desire in the present instance.”

“How long do you suppose it will take Eveline to forget any preference she may have had for Hadley?”

“I do not know.”

“Do you not think the exercise of a little paternal authority would accelerate the accomplishment of your wishes?  I hope you will pardon me if the suggestion is ill-timed or out of taste; it is made in accordance with a declaration to that effect you will remember to have made to me a short time previous to your daughter’s illness.”

“I have not forgotten the declaration to which you allude; it was made in the heat of a moment of excitement; but I am frank to own that it was then my determination to use parental authority toward Eveline, in case it became necessary to do so, in order to bend her will to my purposes.  This intention I have entirely abandoned.  I have reflected more dispassionately on the subject; and I now see clearly that my daughter has rights as well as myself, and that first in importance among these, is the right to bestow herself in marriage to whom she chooses.  I will continue to give you my influence, but I have already pledged her my word that she shall be free to make her own selection of a husband.”

“You are right, sir, right.  I see wherein we have both erred in our former views; but then we were blinded, at least I was; for you know love has always been blind.  I must crave your pardon, as I would the forgiveness of Eveline, were she present, for having entertained so unjust a thought toward her for a single moment.  Be assured, if she cannot be won by gentleness and love, I shall never consent to make her my wife, though she is dearer to me than life itself.”

“Very well; I still feel that all will come out right, and that a peaceful calm of sunshine will succeed the season of storm and clouds; but we must not hurry matters; time will do more for us than we can for ourselves, whereas haste might defeat all our hopes.  At present, I do not think it would be advisable for you to urge your suit to her; her mind is not yet prepared to receive you with that degree of favor desirable.”

“I shall act in the matter as your better judgment and clearer perception shall dictate, and hope for the best.”

And thus the interview ended.  How strange that Mr. Mandeville should be so easily deceived in regard to Duffel! and how debasingly hypocritical was the dissembling villain!  Will he never be overtaken by his crimes?