an only say that she is supreme in this
house; her orders alone are obeyed. I have reason to believe that papa
confides the gravest interests to her charge, and for myself, I obey her
by a sort of instinct."

"But you like her, May?"

"I am too much afraid of her to like her. I was at first greatly
attracted by fascinations perfectly new to me, and by a number of
graceful accomplishments, which certainly lent a great charm to her
society. But after a while I detected, or I fancied that I detected,
that all these attractions were thrown out as lures to amuse and occupy
us, while she was engaged in studying our dispositions and examining
our natures. Added to this, I became aware of the harshness she secretly
bestowed upon poor Clara, whose private lectures were little else than
tortures. This latter completely estranged me from her, and, indeed, was
the first thing which set me at work to consider her character. From the
day when Clara left this--"

"Left this, and for where?" cried he.

"I cannot tell you; we have never heard of her since. She was taken away
by a guardian, a certain Mr. Stocmar, whom papa seemed to know, or at
least thought he had met somewhere, many years ago. It was shortly after
the tidings of Captain Morris's death this gentleman arrived here to
claim her."

"And her mother,--was she willing to part with her?"

"She affected great sorrow--fainted, I think--when she read the letter
that apprised her of the necessity; but from Clara herself I gathered
that the separation was most grateful to her, and that for some secret
cause I did not dare to ask--even had she known to tell--they were not
to meet again for many, many years."

"But all that you tell me is unnatural, May. Is there not some terrible
mystery in this affair? Is there not some shameful scandal beneath it
all?"

A heavy sigh seemed to concur with what he said.

"And can my father mean to marry a woman of whose past life he knows
nothing? Is it with all these circumstances of suspicion around her that
he is willing to share name and fortune with her?"

"As to that, such is her ascendancy over him, that were she to assure
him of the most improbable or impossible of events he 'd not discredit
her. Some secret dread of what you would say or think has delayed the
marriage hitherto; but once you have taken your leave and are fairly
off,--not to return for years,--the event will no longer be deferred."

"Oh, May, how you grieve me!