“Oh! no, sir, I knew nothing of the report, as I told you before! I knew that Margaret was very, very imprudent, and gave me excessive uneasiness, but I did not dream that she had compromised herself to such an extent! Oh, never!” exclaimed Nellie, still and always unsuspicious of her own great share in creating the evil. “You said that you had thought of asking my counsel. If you please to explain, my dear Mrs. Houston, you shall have the benefit of the best counsel my poor ability will furnish.” “Oh! Heavens, sir! girls are not what they used to be when I was young--though I am scarcely middle-aged now--but they are not.” “And Miss Helmstedt?” “Oh, sir! Margaret is indeed in correspondence with some unknown man, whose very name I never heard in all my life before! She does all she can to keep the affair secret, and she thinks she keeps it so; but poor thing, having very little art, she cannot succeed in concealing the fact that she sends off these mysterious letters about once a month.” “And do you not expostulate with her?” inquired the deeply-shocked minister. “Oh, I did at first, sir, but I made no more impression upon her than if she had been a marble statue of Firmness. She would not tell me who her correspondent was, where he was, what he was, what was the nature of the acquaintance between them; in short, she would tell me nothing about him.” “And can neither Colonel nor Mrs. Compton, nor your husband, impress her with the impropriety of this proceeding?” “Oh, sir, they know nothing about it. No one in this house knows anything about Margaret’s conduct but myself. And the rumor you have just brought me has never reached them, I am sure.” “Suppose you let me talk with my young friend. She means well, I am sure.” “Well, sir, you shall have the opportunity you desire. But--excuse me for quoting for your benefit a homely adage--‘Trot sire, trot dam, and the colt will never pace!’ Margaret Helmstedt takes stubbornness from both parents, and may be supposed to have a double allowance,” said Mrs. Houston, putting her hand to the bell cord. A servant appeared. “Let Miss Helmstedt know that Mr. Wellworth desires to see her,” said Mrs. Houston. The messenger withdrew, and soon returned with the answer that Miss Helmstedt would be glad to receive Mr. Wellworth in her own sitting-room. “Will you accompany me hither then, Mrs. Houston?” “No, I think not, sir. I fancy Miss Helmstedt prefers a private interview with her pastor. And I believe also that such a one would afford the best opportunity for your counseling Margaret.” “Then you will excuse me, madam?” “Certainly; and await here the issue of your visit,” said Mrs. Houston. With a bow, the clergyman left the room, crossed the hall, and rapped at the door of Miss Helmstedt’s parlor. It was opened by Hildreth, who stood in her starched puritanical costume, curtseying while the pastor entered the pretty boudoir.