tself, did not wince before it held its peace. There were
strugglings and entreaties, and patchings up, and excuses, and all the
appliances which precede the commission of a sinful act. Reasons for
honesty and disinterestedness were converted for the occasion into
justifications of falsehood and artifice. A paltry regard for himself and
his own interests was bribed to take the shape of filial duty and
affection. The result of all his cogitation and contrivances was one great
plan. He would not take from his Margaret's fortune. No, under existing
circumstances it would be wrong, unpardonable; but at the same time he was
bound to protect his father's reputation. The engagement with the widow
must go on. He could not yield the prize; life without her would not be
worth the having. What was to be done, then? Why, to wed, and to secure
the maintenance of the firm by means which were at his command. Once
married to the opulent Mrs Mildred, and nothing would be easier than to
obtain men of the first consideration in the county to take a share of his
responsibilities. Twenty, whom he could name, would jump at the
opportunity and the offer. The house stood already high in the opinion of
the world. What would it be with the superadded wealth of the magnificent
widow? The private debts of his father were a secret. His parsimonious
habits had left upon the minds of people a vague and shadowy notion of
surpassing riches; Had he not been rich beyond men's calculation, he would
not have ventured to live so meanly. Michael derived support from the
general belief, and resolved most secularly to take a full advantage of it.
If he could but procure one or two monied men as partners in the house,
the thing was settled. Matters would be snug--the property secured. The
business must increase. The profits would enable him in time to pay off
his father's liabilities, and if, in the meanwhile, it should be deemed
expedient to borrow from his wife, he might do so safely, satisfied that
he could repay the loan, at length, with interest. Such was the outline of
Michael Allcraft's scheme. His spirit was quiet as soon as it was
concocted, and he reposed upon it for a season as tired men sleep soundly
on a bed of straw.

Whilst the bridegroom was distressed with his peculiar grievances, the
lovely bride was doomed to submit to annoyances scarcely less painful. Her
late husband's friend, Doctor Wilford, who had been abroad for many months,
suddenly ret