On entering the room she was struck at once by the unusually grave and even troubled look of the minister. He arose and greeted her, handed a chair, and when she was seated resumed his own. And then, after a little conversation, opened the subject of his visit. “Mrs. Houston it is my very painful duty to advise you of the existence of certain rumors in regard to your amiable ward that I know to be as false as they are injurious, but with which I am equally certain you should be made acquainted.” Nellie was really amazed--so unconscious was she of the effect of her own mischief-making. She drew out her perfumed pocket handkerchief to have it ready, and then inquired: “To what purpose should I be informed of false, injurious rumors, sir? I know nothing of the rumors to which you refer.” “I verily believe you, madam. But you should be made acquainted with them, as, in the event of their having been occasioned by any little act of thoughtlessness on the part of Miss Helmstedt, you may counsel that young lady and put a stop to this gossiping.” “I do entreat you, sir, to speak plainly.” “You must pardon me then, madam, if I take you at your word. It is currently reported, then, that Miss Helmstedt is in secret correspondence, ‘secret’ no longer, with a person of low and disreputable character, a waterman, skipper, or something of the sort, whose acquaintance she formed in her mother’s lifetime and during her father’s absence, while she lived almost alone, on her native island. Now, of course, I know this rumor to be essentially false and calumnious; but I know also how delicate is the bloom on a young girl’s fair name, and how easily a careless handling will smirch it. Some thoughtless, perhaps some praiseworthy act on the part of this young creature--such as the sending of charitable donations through the post office, or something of the sort--may have given rise to this rumor, which should at once be met and put down by her friends. But I advise you, my dear madam, to speak to Miss Helmstedt and ascertain what ground, if any, however slight, there may be for this injurious rumor.” For all answer, Mrs. Houston put her handkerchief to her face and began to weep. “No, no, my dear Mrs. Houston, don’t take this too much to heart! these things must be firmly confronted and dealt with--not wept over.” “Oh, sir! good sir! you don’t know! you don’t know! It is too true! Margaret gives me a world of anxiety.” “Madam! you shock me! What is it you say?” “Oh! sir, I am glad you came this morning! I have been wanting to ask your advice for a long time; but I did not like to. It is too true! Margaret is very imprudent!” “Dear Heaven, madam! do you tell me that you knew of this report, and that it is not unfounded?”