“What, then, shall I do, Mrs. Martindale?”

“See Mr. Fenwick whenever an opportunity offers, and leave the rest to me.  I will advise you when and how to act.”

The almost involuntary admissions made by Mary in this conversation, were at once conveyed to the ears of Fenwick, who soon sought an opportunity openly to declare his love.  Of course, his suit was not rejected.  Thus, under the advice and direction of a most injudicious woman, who had betrayed the confidence placed in her, was a young girl, unacquainted with life, innocent and unsuspicious, wooed and won, and her parents wholly ignorant of the circumstance.

Thoughts of marriage follow quickly a declaration of love.  Once with the prize in view, Fenwick was eager to have it wholly in his possession.  Mrs. Martindale was, of course, the mutual friend and adviser, and she urged an immediate clandestine marriage.  For many weeks Mary resisted the persuasions of both.  Fenwick and Mrs. Martindale; but at last, in a state of half distraction of mind, she consented to secretly leave her father’s house, and throw herself upon the protection of one she had not known for six months, and of whose true character she had no certain knowledge.

“Mary is out a great deal of late, it seems to me,” Mr. Lester remarked, as he sat alone with his wife one evening about ten o’clock.

“So I was just thinking.  There is, scarcely an evening now in the week that she has not an engagement somewhere.”

“I cannot say that I much approve of such a course myself.  There is always danger of a girl, just at Mary’s age, forming injudicious preferences for young men, if she be thrown much into their company, unattended by a proper adviser.”

“Mrs. Martindale is very fond of Mary, and I believe is with her a good deal.”

“Mrs. Martindale?  Humph!  Do you know that I have no great confidence in that woman?”

“Why?”

“Have you forgotten the hand she had in bringing about that most unfortunate marriage of Caroline Howell?”

“I had almost forgotten it.  Or, rather, I never paid much attention to the rumour in regard to her interference in the matter; because, you know, people will talk.”

“And to some purpose, often; at least, I am persuaded that there is truth in all that is alleged in this instance.  And now that my thoughts begin to run in this way, I do really feel concerned lest the reason of Mary’s frequent absence of late, in company with Mrs. Martindale, has some reference to a matter of this kind.  Have you not observed some change in her of late?”

“She has not been very cheerful for the last two or three months.”

“So I have once or twice thought, but supposed it was only my imagination.  If this, then, be true, it is our duty to be on our guard—­to watch over Mary with a careful eye, and to know particularly into what company she goes.”

“I certainly agree with you that we ought to do so.  Heaven grant that our watchfulness do not come too late!” Mrs. Lester said, a sudden feeling of alarm springing up in her bosom.