That she was not over pleased, when she arrived at this conclusion, might be inferred from the toss which she gave her little head, ringlets and all, as she went on her way. Meanwhile, Hargrave, having accompanied Mabel home, immediately resigned her to all the discomforts of her situation, while he went to seek an interview with Mrs. Villars. CHAPTER X. Unfaithful one! from seed of tares No golden grain can spring: Unhappy one! the wind, once sown, Shall but the whirlwind bring. CULVER ALLEN. Amongst all the curses pronounced against the rebellious Israelites, few, perhaps, in reality far exceeded that one--"Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in." It struck to the very heart of domestic peace, destroying that sanctuary, which, dark as the world around may be, we look to as a shelter and a solace. If the curse be there, what other blessing can reach us with any effect! Such was the punishment which the cautious, wily woman of the world had been so carefully storing up for herself--for this she had chained her own temper--for this she had submitted to many weary vexations--for this she had been lavish in indulgence, even when her tired spirit would have willingly--so she believed--have turned from the cunning and fatiguing artifices of perpetual deceit--for this she had entered "into the fields of the fatherless," to find, only too late, that "their Redeemer is indeed mighty." The curse for which she had so strenuously laboured, had entered into her very household, and her own daughters were turned against her. Colonel Hargrave found Mrs. Villars in tears when he went to explain his wishes, and the reasons which led him to desire an early and private marriage. "Take her when you like, and the sooner the better," exclaimed the goaded woman; "I care not when, and I only wish you could take away the ill she has brought with her." Colonel Hargrave, who was accustomed to nothing but flattery in that house, felt a little surprise at the boldness with which the veil was now thrown aside. "I hope," he said, at length, "that you will allow her to remain with you for the next three weeks. I wish this as a favour, because I would not have her forced to seek the protection even of old friends, at such a time--but I may as well add, that I know as well as yourself how little you have done your duty to your sister's orphan, and I make this the only condition which will force me to keep silence on the subject." "Give me that promise and you shall not have cause to complain," said Mrs. Villars, apprehensively.