suddenly introduced, and in which you met with such marked
success.

"Notwithstanding the privilege you enjoy of being presented in polite
circles as the friend of a man so well known and so much respected as
Mr. Clinton, you cannot have been insensible to the marked attentions
bestowed upon you by American residents abroad, or unaware of the
advantage you enjoyed, on your return home, from having been known as
the object of such favour. Though I did not meet you in Paris, I was
there at the same time, and became acquainted with facts which you would
have too much modesty to acknowledge. It is also evident that your pride
must have been flattered by the favourable reception you have met, both
abroad and at home, especially from the young and beautiful women who
have honoured you with their smiles, and among whom she whose name the
crowd already associates with your own stands preeminent.

"When I think of all this, and of those pecuniary hopes you may indulge,
and imagine you flinging all these aside to chivalrously throw yourself
at the feet of your mother's little nurse, I find it impossible to keep
silent and avoid reminding you of the disappointment that must ensue on
finding yourself at once and for ever shut out from participation in
pleasures which have been within your reach and voluntarily discarded.
You must remember that much of the consideration which is paid to a
young bachelor of growing prospects ceases to be awarded to him after
marriage, and is never extended to his bride, unless she be chosen from
the select circles to which he aspires. This unportioned orphan with
whom you propose to share your fate--this little patient
school-mistress----"

"I did not tell you she had ever been a teacher!" exclaimed Willie,
stopping short in his walk up and down the room--"I did not tell you
anything of the sort! How did you know it?"

Mr. Amory, who had thus betrayed more knowledge than he had been
supposed to possess, hesitated a moment, but quickly recovering himself
answered, with apparent frankness, "To tell the truth, Sullivan, I have
seen the girl in company with an old doctor."

"Dr. Jeremy?" asked Willie, quickly.

"The same."

"When did you see her? How did it happen?"

"I happened to see the old gentleman in the course of my travels, and
this Gertrude Flint was with him. He told me a few facts concerning her;
nothing to her disadvantage, however; in warning you against a
misalliance, I speak only