enement in a remote quarter of the city, and remained till a late hour,
when she returned home.

I resolved quietly to take observations, and ascertain the motive for
her visit. My intentions were precluded the next morning by the entrance
into my place of business of Mr. Sefton, who, after many complimentary
and cordial expressions, requested a private conference; which being
granted, he said,--

'My dear Mr. Bell, I wish to speak to you concerning a very delicate and
painful matter. I am conscious of involving myself in an affair, which
may, perhaps, have unpleasant consequences for me, but my friendship and
esteem for you will not permit me to remain quiet concerning a matter
which is injurious to your honor.'

He then proceeded to inform me that a certain actor, named Foster, who
once had a high reputation, but had become degraded through
dissoluteness, recently came to him, apparently in abject poverty and
dangerous illness, begging assistance and shelter; that he had placed
Foster in a tenement, which he described (the same that I had seen my
wife enter), and supplied his wants, but had reason to suppose that
Foster was imposing on his charity, having learned from others that, so
far from being ill, he was sufficiently able to enjoy his appetites and
licentious desires. 'On going,' said Mr. Sefton, 'to reprimand and expel
him, he confessed to me that he had taken this method of covering an
intrigue with a lady, and assured me he intended to repay all I had
advanced him. I became, also,' continued Mr. Sefton, 'a witness of an
interview with the lady, as she entered while I was there, and Foster,
in the haste of the occasion, was obliged to conceal me in an adjoining
room. The lady, I was astonished to perceive, was Mrs. Bell. I then
recollected that Foster was formerly intimate with her, and that they
performed on the stage together. I have deemed it my duty to relate this
astounding development to you.'

I received Mr. Sefton's announcement in all seriousness, and thanked
him. What would he have me do? He replied that my own judgment must
dictate, but that he supposed it would be best for all parties to remove
quietly to another State and apply for a divorce. I promised to consider
the matter, and after many mutual compliments he departed.

'What does this mean?' I mused. 'The supposition of an intrigue is
preposterous. Probably Foster has merely deceived Evelyn as he did
Sefton, in order to obtain her bounty