'I laughed scornfully as he said this, whereupon he angrily demanded the cause of my ill-timed mirth; and as I detested his hypocrisy, I boldly told him that it ill became _him_ to preach on the enormity of the crime of adultery, after having been guilty of that very offence with his kitchen wench! He turned deadly pale at this unexpected retort, and stammered out--'Then you know all--denial is useless.' I told him how I had witnessed the affair in the kitchen, and reproached him bitterly for the infamous conduct. He admitted the justness of my rebuke, and when I informed him that Mr. Flanders had attempted to debauch me, he foamed with rage, and loaded the reverend libertine with epithets which were decidedly uncomplimentary. Still, he doubted the story of my mother's crime--he could not believe _her_ to be guilty of such baseness; but he assured me that he should satisfy himself of her innocence or guilt, then left me, after having made me promise not to expose him in reference to his affair with the servant girl in the kitchen. 'Upon leaving me, my father immediately sought an interview with my mother, who by this time had recovered from her swoon. She was in her chamber; but as I was naturally anxious to know what might pass between my parents, under such unusual circumstances, I stationed myself at the door of the room, as soon as my father had entered, and heard distinctly all that was said.' CHAPTER III _Domestic Troubles--A Scene, and a Compromise--an Escape--various matters amative, explanatory and miscellaneous, in the Tale of the Courtezan._ 'Well, madam,' said my father, in a cold, severe tone--'this is truly a strange and serious accusation which our daughter has brought against you. The crime of adultery, and with a Christian minister!' 'Surely,' rejoined my mother, sobbing--'you will not believe the assertions of that young hussy. I am innocent--indeed, indeed I am.'