“Therefore, R. W. ” said Mrs. Wilfer, resuming her discourse and turning to her lord again, “let your daughter Bella come when she will, and she will be received. So,” after a short pause, and an air of having taken medicine in it, “so will her husband.”

“And I beg, Pa,” said Lavinia, “that you will not tell Bella what I have undergone. It can do no good, and it might cause her to reproach herself.”

“My dearest girl,” urged Mr. Sampson, “she ought to know it.”

“No, George,” said Lavinia, in a tone of resolute self-denial. “No, dearest George, let it be buried in oblivion.”

Mr. Sampson considered that, “too noble.”