ect. There was
nothing for it but to lay before her the whole disagreeable truth.

When the Doctor commenced the reading of the letter, Miss Johns resumed
her needle-work with a resolute composure that seemed to imply, "The
Johns' view of the case has been stated; let us now listen to what Mr.
Maverick may have to say."

For a while her fingers plied nimbly; but there came a pause,--an
exclamation of amazement, and her work (it was a bit of embroidery for
poor Adele) was dashed upon the floor.

"Benjamin, this is monstrous! The French hussy! Reuben, indeed!"

The Doctor returned composedly to his reading.

"No, brother, I want to hear no more. What a wretch this Maverick must
be!"

"A sinner, doubtless, Eliza; yet not a sinner before all others."

The spinster was now striding up and down the room in a state of
extraordinary excitement. With a strange inconsequence, she seized the
letter from the Doctor's hands, and read it through to the end.

"I am bewildered, Benjamin. To think that the Johns' name should be
associated with such shame and guilt!"

"Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased," murmured the Doctor.

But the spinster was in no mood for listening to Scriptural
applications.

"And that he should dare to ask us to cloak for him this great scandal!"
continued she, wrathfully.

"For the child's sake, Eliza,--for poor Adaly."

"While I am mistress of your household, brother, I shall try to maintain
its dignity and respectability. Do you consider, Benjamin, how much
these are necessary to your influence?"

"Without doubt, Eliza; yet I cannot perceive how these would suffer by
dealing gently with this unfortunate child. A very tender affection for
her has grown upon me, Eliza; it would sadden me grievously, if she were
to go out from among us bearing unkind thoughts."

"And is your affection strong enough, Benjamin, to make you forget all
social proprieties, and the honorable name of our family, and to wish
her stay here as the wife of Reuben?"

The Doctor may have winced a little at this; and possibly a touch of
worldly pride entered into his reply.

"In this matter, Eliza, I think the wish of Maverick is to be
respected."

"Pah! For my part, I respect much more the Johns' name."

As the spinster retired to her room, after being overheated in the
discussion, in which the calmness of the Doctor, and the news he had
communicated, contributed almost equally to her frenzy, she cast a look,