cient explanation of so entire a change in
her deportment.

Mr. Markland sought the earliest opportunity to confer with his wife
on the subject of Fanny's altered state of mind, and the causes
leading thereto; but the conference did not result in much that was
satisfactory to either of them.

"Have you said any thing to her about Mr. Lyon?" asked Mr. Markland.

"Very little," was answered. "She thought it would only be courteous
to reply to his letter; but I told her that, if he were a true man,
and had a genuine respect for her, he would not wish to draw her
into a correspondence on so slight an acquaintance; and that the
only right manner of response was through you."

"Through me!"

"Yes. Your acknowledgment, in Fanny's name, when you are writing to
Mr. Lyon, will be all that he has a right to expect, and all that
our daughter should be permitted to give."

"But if we restrict her to so cold a response, and that by
second-hand, may she not be tempted to write to him without our
knowledge?"

"No, Edward. I will trust her for that," was the unhesitating
answer.

"She is very young," said Mr. Markland, as if speaking to himself.

"Oh, yes!" quickly returned his wife. "Years too young for an
experience--or, I might say, a temptation--like this. I cannot but
feel that, in writing to our child, Mr. Lyon abused the hospitality
we extended to him."

"Is not that a harsh judgment, Agnes?"

"No, Edward. Fanny is but a child, and Mr. Lyon a man of mature
experience. He knew that she was too young to be approached as he
approached her."

"He left it with us, you know, Agnes; and with a manly delicacy that
we ought neither to forget nor fail to appreciate."

The remark silenced, but in no respect changed the views of Mrs.
Markland; and the conference on Fanny's state of mind closed without
any satisfactory result.

The appearance of his daughter on the next morning caused Mr.
Markland to feel a deeper concern. The colour had faded from her
cheeks; her eyes were heavy, as if she had been weeping; and if she
did not steadily avoid his gaze, she was, he could see, uneasy under
it.

As soon as Mr. Markland had finished his light breakfast he ordered
the carriage.

"You are not going to the city?" his wife said, with surprise and
disappointment in her voice.

"Yes, Agnes, I must be in town to-day. I expect letters on business
that will require immediate attention."

"Business, Edward! What business?"

The