ithdraw.

"She is, indeed, beautiful," said the banker, almost aloud, when he was
alone; "and the old lady is right--she is as innocent as if she had not
fallen. I wonder--" Here he stopped short, and walked to the glass over
the mantelpiece, where he was still gazing on his own features, when
Mrs. Leslie returned.

"Well, sir," said she, a little surprised at this seeming vanity in so
pious a man.

The banker started. "Madam, I honour your penetration as much as your
charity; I think that there is so much to be feared in letting all
the world know this young female's past error, that, though I dare not
advise, I cannot blame, your concealment of it."

"But, sir, your words have sunk deep into my thoughts; you said every
deviation from truth was a forfeiture of duty."

"Certainly; but there are some exceptions. The world is a bad world, we
are born in sin; and the children of wrath. We do not tell infants all
the truth, when they ask us questions, the proper answers of which would
mislead, not enlighten them. In some things the whole world are infants.
The very science of government is the science of concealing truth--so
is the system of trade. We could not blame the tradesman for not telling
the public that if all his debts were called in he would be a bankrupt."

"And he may marry her after all--this Mr. Butler."

"Heaven forbid--the villain!--Well, madam, I will see to this poor young
thing--she shall not want a guide."

"Heaven reward you! How wicked some people are to call you severe!"

"I can bear _that_ blame with a meek temper, madam. Good day."

"Good day. You will remember how strictly confidential has been our
conversation."

"Not a breath shall transpire. I will send you some tracts to-morrow--so
comforting. Heaven bless you!"

This difficulty smoothed, Mrs. Leslie, to her astonishment, found that
she had another to contend with in Alice herself. For, first, Alice
conceived that to change her name and keep her secret was to confess
that she ought to be ashamed, rather than proud, of her love to Ernest,
and she thought that so ungrateful to him!--and, secondly, to take his
name, to pass for his wife--what presumption--he would certainly have a
right to be offended! At these scruples Mrs. Leslie well-nigh lost all
patience; and the banker, to his own surprise, was again called in. We
have said that he was an experienced and skilful adviser, which implies
the faculty of persuasion. He soon saw the