At every point where I could do so I borrowed; but at half-past two o’clock I was still short the amount of these two notes.  While in the utmost doubt and perplexity as to what I should do in my difficulty, two notes were handed in.  One contained a dry goods bill which you had run up of over a hundred and fifty dollars, and the other a shoe bill of twenty-five.  I cannot describe to you the paralyzing sense of discouragement that instantly came over me.  It is hopeless for me to struggle on at such a disadvantage, said I to myself—­utterly hopeless.  And I determined to give up the struggle—­to let my notes lie over, and thus end the unequal strife in which I was engaged; for, to this, I saw it must come at last.  Full twenty minutes went by, and I still sat in this state of irresolution.  Then, as a vivid perception of consequences came to my mind, I aroused myself to make a last, desperate effort.  Hurriedly drawing a note at thirty days for five hundred dollars, I took it to a money-lender, whom I knew I could tempt by the offer of a large discount.  He gave me for it a check on the bank in which my notes were deposited, for four hundred and fifty dollars.  Just as the clock was striking three, I entered the banking-house.’

“My husband paused.  I saw by the workings of his face and by the large beads of perspiration which stood upon his forehead, that he was indeed in earnest.  I never was so startled by any thing in my life.  It seemed for a time as if it were only a dream.  I need not say how sincerely I repented of what I had done, nor how I earnestly promised my husband never again to contract a debt of even a dollar without his knowledge.  I hope,” added Mrs. Claxton, “that you have not yet been influenced by my advice and example; and I come thus early to speak in your ears a word of caution.  Pray do not breathe aught of what I have told you—­it might injure my husband—­I only make the revelation as a matter of duty to one I tried to lead astray.”

The thoughts of Mrs. Ellis did not run in a more peaceful channel after the departure of her friend.  But she resolved to confess every thing to her husband, and promise to conform herself more to his wishes in the future.

“What,” she said, “if he should be in like business difficulties with Mr. Claxton?  He has looked serious for a week past, and has remained at home every evening during the time—­a thing unusual.  And I don’t think he has used liquor as freely as common.  Something is the matter.  Oh, I wish I had not done that!”

While such thoughts were passing through the mind of Mrs. Ellis, her husband came home.  She met him with an affectionate manner, which he returned.  But there was a cloud on his brow that even her smile could not drive away.  Even as she met him, words of confession were on the tongue of Mrs. Ellis, but she shrank from giving them utterance.

After tea she resolved to speak.  But, when this set-time of acknowledgment came, she was as little prepared for the task as before.  Mr. Ellis looked so troubled, that she could not find it in her heart to add to the pressure on his mind an additional weight.  And so the evening passed, the secret of Mrs. Ellis remaining undivulged.  And so, day after day went on.