is moment a tap at the door announced a visitor, and almost
immediately Harman entered the parlor. It is scarcely necessary to say,
that Mary was quite unprepared for his appearance, as indeed was her
mother. The latter sat up on the sofa, but spoke not, for she scarcely
knew in what terms to address him. Mary, though much moved previous to
his entrance, now assumed the appearance of a coldness, which in her
heart she did not feel. That her lover, who ought to have known her
so well, should have permitted himself to be borne away by such an
ungenerous suspicion of her fidelity, was a reflection which caused her
many a bitter pang. On the other hand, when she looked back upon the
snare into which she had been drawn, it was impossible not to admit
that the force of appearances made a strong case against her. For this
reason, therefore, she scarcely blamed Harman, whilst, at the same
time, she certainly felt that there was something due to her previous
character, and the maidenly delicacy of her whole life.

"You are surprised, Mary, to see me here," said Harman; "and you, Mrs.
M'Loughlin, are no doubt equally so?"

"I think it is very natural we should be, James," replied Mrs.
M'Loughlin. "I must confess that your visit is an unexpected one
certainly, and my anxiety now is, to know the cause to which we may
attribute it. Sit down."

He did not sit, however, but exclaimed--"Good heavens, what is this?
Why, Mary, I should scarcely have known you. This change is dreadful."

Neither of the females spoke; but the daughter bestowed on him a single
look--long, fixed, and sorrowful--which did more to reprove and soften
him, than any language could have done. It went to his heart--it
filled him with grief, repentance, remorse. For many a day and night
afterwards, her image, and that look, were before him, exerting a
power over his soul, which kindled his love to a height it would never
otherwise have reached. He approached her.

"What reparation do I not owe you, my beloved Mary, for my base and
ungenerous belief in that scoundrel's vile calumny? Such reparation,
however, as I can make, I will. You are not aware that Poll Doolin has
confessed and disclosed the whole infamous plot; and in a few days the
calumny will be extinct. As for me, you know not what a heavy weight
pressed my heart down to the uttermost depths of suffering. I have not
been without other calamities--yet this, I take heaven to witness, was
the only one I f