“How few families there are,” said I, after a few moments, “as you have justly remarked, the happiness of which has not been destroyed by the marriage of a much loved and fondly cherished daughter and sister, to one all unworthy of the heart whose best affections had been poured out upon him like water.”

“The misery arising from this cause,” the old man said, “is incalculable.  Nor does it always show itself in the extreme external changes that have marked Flora T—­’s sad history.  I could take you to many houses, fine houses too, and richly arrayed within, where hearts are breaking in the iron grasp of a husband’s unfeeling hand, that contracts with a slow, torturing cruelty, keeping its victim lingering day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year, looking and longing for the hour when the deep quiet of the grave shall bring peace—­sweet peace.”

* * *

“As I thus look back through a period of some twenty, thirty, and forty years,” continued the old man, “noting the changes that have taken place, and counting over the hopes that have been given like chaff to the winds, I feel sad.  And yet, amid all this change and disappointment, there is much to stir the heart with feelings of pleasure.  A single instance I will relate: 

“A very intimate friend, a merchant, had three daughters, to whom he gave an education the best that could be obtained.  When the eldest was but twenty, and the youngest fourteen, Mr. W—­failed in business.  Every thing passed from his hands, and he was left entirely penniless.  Well advanced in years, with his current of thoughts, from long habit, going steadily in one way, this shock almost entirely prostrated him.  He could not find courage to explain to his daughters his condition, and the change that awaited them.  But they loved their father too well not to perceive that something was wrong.  Suspecting the true cause, the eldest, unknown to him, waited upon one of his clerks at his residence, and received from him a full statement of her father’s affairs.  She begged that nothing might be concealed; and so obtained all the information that the clerk could give, from which she saw plainly that the family would be entirely broken up, and worse than all, perhaps scattered, the children from their father.

“On returning home, she took her younger sisters, and fully explained to them the gloomy prospect in view.  Then she explained to them her plan, by which the force of the storm might be broken.  In it they all gladly acquiesced.  This plan, they proceeded, unknown to their father, to put into execution.

“It was about one week after, that the old man came home so much troubled in mind that he was compelled to leave the tea-table, his food untasted.  As he arose, his children arose also, and followed him into the parlours.

“‘Dear father!’ said the eldest, coming up to his side, and drawing her arm around his neck—­’do not be troubled.  We know it all, and are prepared for the worst.’