“He may hear, as you and others do, incredible things said of me; but he will not, as you and others do, believe them! And I only dread to think what his reply would be to any who should, in his presence, speak with levity of any woman he respects.” “Margaret, pause--bethink you! this is no idle gossip! It is slander, do you hear? It is the venomed serpent slander that has fixed its fangs upon your maiden name. I believe, of course, unjustly! but nothing except an open explanation will enable your friends to exculpate you and silence your calumniators. Will you not give them such a weapon?” “I cannot,” she breathed, in a low tone of returning despair. “Reflect, girl. Ralph Houston, when he arrives, will surely hear these reports; for, in the country, nothing is forgotten. He may stand by you--I doubt not with his unfunded faith and chivalrous generosity that he will; but--will you, loving and honoring him, as I am sure you do, will you, with a blemished name, give your hand to him, a man of stainless honor?” “No, no! oh, never, no!” came like a wail of woe from her lips, as her head sank down upon her bosom. “Then, Margaret, give your friends the right to explain and clear your conduct.” She was incapable of reply, and so remained silent. “You will not?” She mournfully shook her head. “Good-by, Margaret; God give you a better spirit. I must leave you now,” said the old pastor. And he arose, laid his hand in silent prayer upon the stricken young head bent beneath him, then took up his broad-brimmed hat and quietly left the room. As he came out, Mrs. Houston opened the front parlor door and invited him in there. “Well, sir, what success?” she inquired, anxiously, as soon as they were both seated. The good old man slowly shook his head. “None whatever, madam.” “She still refuses to explain?” “Ah, yes, madam!” “In fact, it is just what I expected. I am not surprised. There never was such contumacious obstinacy. Dear me, what shall I do? What would you advise me to do?” “Be patient, Mrs. Houston; and, above all things, avoid betraying to any others out of your own immediate family the anxiety that you reveal to me. ‘It is written that a man’s foes shall be those of his own household.’ Unnatural and horrible as it sounds, every one who has lived, observed and reflected to any purpose, must have discovered that still more frequently a woman’s foes are of such.” “Really and truly, Mr. Wellworth, that is a very strange speech of yours. I hope you do not suppose that any one in this house is the enemy of Margaret Helmstedt?” “Assuredly not. I merely wished to entreat that you will not again speak of this correspondence in the village post office.” “But dear me, what then am I to do?”