some from actual delicacy, and an unaffected
compassion, and others from that shrinking fear of moral contagion,
which is always most loudly and severely expressed by the private sinner
and hypocrite. Their sister's conduct was, in fact, the topic of
general discussion throughout the parish, and we need not say that such
discussions usually were terminated--first in great compassion for the
poor girl, and then as their virtue warmed, in as earnest denunciations
of her guilt. To an indifferent person, however, without any prejudice
either for or against her, it was really impossible, considering the
satanic success with which the plot was managed, and the number of
witnesses actually present at its accomplishment, to consider Miss
M'Loughlin as free at least from gross and indefensible levity, and a
most unjustifiable relaxation of female prudence, at a period when it
was known she was actually engaged to another.

This certainly looked very suspicious, and we need scarcely say that a
cessation of all visits, intimacy, and correspondence, immediately took
place, on the part of female friends and acquaintances. In fact the
innocent victim of this dastardly plot was completely deserted, and the
little party of her friends was by no means a match for the large and
godly hosts who charitably combined to establish her guilt. Her father,
with all his manliness of character, and sterling integrity, was not
distressed on his daughter's account only. There was another cause of
anxiety to him equally deep--we mean the mysterious change that had come
over his sons, in consequence of this blasting calamity. He saw clearly
that they had come to the dark and stern determination of avenging their
sister's disgrace upon its author, and that at whatever risk. This in
truth to him was the greater affliction of the two, and he accordingly
addressed himself with all his authority and influence over them, to
the difficult task of plucking this frightful resolution out of their
hearts. In his attempt to execute this task, he found himself baffled
and obstructed by other circumstances of a very distracting nature.
First, there were the rascally paragraphs alluding to his embarrassments
on the one hand, and those which, while pretending to vindicate him and
his partner from any risk of bankruptcy, levelled the assassin's blow
at the reputation of his poor daughter, on the other. Both told; but
the first with an effect which no mere moral courag