but the other would not let her part from her so
hastily.

"My dear," she exclaimed in an earnest half-whisper, "isn't it really
shameful that people should say the ill-natured things they do, calling
you a hypocrite, and selfish of all things in the world? And young Mr
Wilder too--to think of his saying that `you've played your cards well.'
Really, it's too bad. But, my dear Miss Stansfield, if I were you I
wouldn't mind it."

The old lady paused, expecting to see a blush of vexation and annoyance
on her young companion's face; but she was disappointed.

"Thank you, Mrs Tinderley," replied Mary Stansfield. "I suppose you
mean well by repeating to me these foolish remarks. I can assure you
that I do _not_ mind them, as my conscience quite acquits me in the
matter, and my happiness in no degree depends on the judgment of those
who have made or reported them."

So saying, she went quietly on her way, leaving poor Mrs Tinderley in a
state of utter bewilderment.

To Colonel Dawson the attachment, which was soon avowed on his nephew's
part, was a matter of the sincerest satisfaction; as it was also to the
elder Miss Stansfield, who had learned to take great pleasure in the
society of Horace Jackson, and to see in him those excellences of a true
Christian character which would make him a suitable husband to her
invaluable niece. She was pained, however, at the hard things which had
been said on the subject, as reported to her by an acquaintance of Mrs
Tinderley's, and spoke to the colonel on the subject.

"I am sure, Colonel Dawson," she said, "dear Mary is without blame in
this matter. The idea of _her_ acting selfishly or `playing her cards,'
such a thing is altogether preposterous. I cannot imagine how people
can be so wicked as to make such cruel and unjust remarks."

"Ah, my dear friend," replied the colonel, smiling, "let it pass, the
world will have its say. I am sure your dear niece will have no wish,
as I know she has no need, to vindicate her character from such
aspersions. She has just gone straight forward in the path of duty, and
has met Horace while in that path; and to my mind there would be
somewhat of selfishness, or, at any rate, of undue self-consciousness,
on her part were she to trouble herself, or to allow her friends to
trouble themselves, to defend her conduct in this matter. We are, of
course, as Christians, to abstain from all appearance of evil, and to
give no handle to the enemie