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Two or three interviews more were all that were needed to bring about a declaration from the young man. Previous to his taking this step, however, Mrs. Martindale had fully prepared Mary’s mind for it.

“You own to me, Mary,” said she, during one of the many conversations now held with her on the subject of Fenwick’s attentions, “that you love him?”

“I do, Mrs. Martindale,” the young lady replied, in a tone half sad, leaning at the same time upon the shoulder of her friend. “But I am conscious that I have been wrong in permitting my affections to become so much interested without having consulted my mother.”

“It will never do for you to consult her now, Mary, for she does not know Mr. Fenwick as you and I know him. She will judge of him, as will your father, from appearances, and forbid you to keep his company.”

“I am sure that such will be the case, and you cannot tell how it troubles me. From childhood up I have been taught to confide in them, and, except in this thing, have never once deceived them. The idea of doing so now, is one that gives me constant pain. I feel that I have not acted wisely in this matter.”

“Nonsense, Mary! Parents never think with their children in these matters. It would make no odds whom you happened to love, they would most certainly oppose you. I never yet knew a young lady whose parents fully approved her choice of a husband.”

“I feel very certain that mine will not approve my choice; and I cannot bear the idea of their displeasure. Sometimes I feel half determined to tell them all, let the consequences be what they may.”

“Oh no, no, Mary! not for the world. They would no doubt take steps to prevent your again meeting each other.”

“What, then, shall I do, Mrs. Martindale?”

“See Mr. Fenwick whenever an opportunity offers, and leave the rest to me. I will advise you when and how to act.”

The almost involuntary admissions made by Mary in this conversation, were at once conveyed to the ears of Fenwick, who soon sought an opportunity openly to declare his love. Of course, his suit was not rejected. Thus, under the advice and direction of a most injudicious woman, who had betrayed the confidence placed in her, was a young girl, unacquainted with life, innocent and unsuspicious, wooed and won, and her parents wholly ignorant of the circumstance.

Thoughts of marriage follow quickly a declaration of love. Once with the prize in view, Fenwick was eager to have it wholly in his possession. Mrs. Martindale was, of course, the mutual friend and adviser, and she urged an immediate clandestine marriage. For many weeks Mary resisted the persuasions of both. Fenwick and Mrs. Martindale; but at last, in a state of half distraction of mind, she consented to secretly leave her father’s house, and throw herself upon the protection of one she had not known for six months, and of whose true character she had no certain knowledge.

“Mary is out a great deal of late, it seems to me,” Mr. Lester remarked, as he sat alone with his wife one evening about ten o’clock.

“So I was just thinking. There is, scarcely an evening now in the week that she has not an engagement somewhere.”

“I cannot say that I much approve of such a course myself. There is always danger of a girl, just at Mary’s age, forming injudicious preferences for young men, if she be thrown much into their company, unattended by a proper adviser.”

“Mrs. Martindale is very fond of Mary, and I believe is with her a good deal.”

“Mrs. Martindale? Humph! Do you know that I have no great confidence in that woman?”

“Why?”

“Have you forgotten the hand she had in bringing about that most unfortunate marriage of Caroline Howell?”

“I had almost forgotten it. Or, rather, I never paid much attention to the rumour in regard to her interference in the matter; because, you know, people will talk.”