A young lady named Henrietta Gay, said to be worth sixty or seventy thousand dollars in her own right, made her appearance in fashionable circles a few months before the time Dunbar thought it wise to dissolve the business relation that had for some years existed between him and Mr. Harker. Miss Gay was from Baltimore, and had come to live with a relative, a widow lady, residing in Philadelphia. About her personal appearance there was nothing attractive; neither were her manners agreeable, nor her conversation intelligent and interesting. Two or three fortune hunters approached, as soon as her money-value became known, but there was something about her that instinctively repulsed them. As Miss Gay was a near relative of a certain very distinguished citizen of Maryland, and had connexions of standing and wealth in Philadelphia, her introduction into fashionable circles was direct. Dunbar was rot long in finding her out; nor did he allow space for much hesitation before becoming her devoted admirer. The young attorney was handsome and agreeable; and every one spoke of him as possessing talents of a high order that would inevitably carry him up to a distinguished position. His attentions were of the most flattering kind, and Miss Gay was flattered by them. The conquest was easier than Dunbar had expected. The lady's heart was won at the first assault. After having gained the prize, the lawyer began to think more seriously about the value, and to feel a desire to know something more certain on that head. Common report set down the fortune of Miss Gay at seventy thousand dollars. It might be more or it might be less; but to no prudent investigation ventured upon came any satisfactory answer. It would not do to press the matter too closely, lest, by some means, his affection for the lady's money instead of herself, should get wind and be breathed into her ears. The understanding in regard to her wealth was so general and decided, that Dunbar felt pretty well satisfied that he had gained a prize in the matrimonial lottery. A more intimate association with Miss Gay, after the engagement had taken place, made Dunbar acquainted with points in her character that were by no means agreeable. She possessed a strong self-will; had very contracted views of everything, and was passionate in the extreme. Whatever her money might do for him, it was soon clear to his mind, that, personally, she would reflect no light upon him in society. Take her all in all, she was the most uninteresting and unattractive woman he had ever known. To this conclusion he was reluctantly forced, in less than three months after his betrothment. But from her to her sixty or seventy thousand dollars his thoughts would turn, and then he always breathed more freely. He was anxious for the time to come when that pretty little fortune would be fully within his possession.