H. WARBURTON.”

For some time after reading this letter, a stupor came over her senses.  Utterly unprepared for such a distressing event, she knew not how to act.  The idea of a jail had ever been associated in her mind with disgrace and crime, and to think that her own husband was in jail almost bereft her of rational thought.  Slowly, however, she at length rallied, and found herself able to appreciate her situation, and to think more clearly on her course of action.

Her first determination was to go to her husband.  This she immediately did.  When admitted, she fell senseless in his arms, and it was a long time before she recovered her consciousness.  Her presence seemed to move his feelings less than it annoyed him.  There was nothing about his manner that sought affectionately her sympathy and confidence—­that which gives woman, in situations no matter how distressing, something so much like happiness to bestow.  He gave her but little satisfaction as to the manner in which he became involved, and when, after several hours, she prepared to go home, at his suggestion, he told her that she must not come there again, as it was not a fit place for her.

“If you are here, Henry,” was her reply, the tears starting freshly to her eyes—­“it is a fit place for me.”

“That’s all nonsense and sentiment, Julia!  This is no place for you, and you must not come again.  I shall be out in a day or two.”

“A day or two is a long—­long time,”—­and the poor wife’s voice trembled as she spoke.

“It will soon pass away.”

“It will seem ages to me, and you in this dreadful place.  I must come tomorrow, Henry.  Tell me who has imprisoned you, and I will go to him, and come to-morrow with his answer.  He cannot stand the pleadings of a wife for her husband.”

“It’s no use, at all, Julia.  He is a hard-faced villain, and will insult you if you see him.”

“He cannot—­he dare not!”

“He dare do anything.”

“Dear Henry, tell me his name.”

“No!—­no!—­no!—­It’s no use to ask me.”

She had many times before suffered from his petulance and coldness; but under present circumstances, when she sought to bring him sympathy and relief, to be repulsed, seemed as though it would break her heart.  Slowly and in tears did she leave the dreadful place that confined her husband, and sought her home.  There she endeavoured to rally her scattered thoughts, and devise some means of relief.  Her first movement was to go to the employers of her husband.  They received her coldly, and after she had stated the condition of her husband, told her that they could offer no relief, and hinted that his conduct had been such as to forfeit their confidence.  This was a double blow; and she returned home with but strength enough to seek her chamber and throw herself, almost fainting, upon her bed.