Without a pause she said-- "Ladies, I have learned within a few days, very greatly to my surprise and grief, that there is a report circulated among my friends, injurious to my character as a woman of honest principles.
I have taken some pains to ascertain those with whom the report is familiar, and have invited all such to be here to-day.

I learn from several sources, that the report originated with Mrs.Grimes, and that she has been very industrious in circulating it to my injury." "Perhaps you wrong Mrs.Grimes there," spoke up Mrs.Markle.

"She did not mention it to me until I inquired of her if the report was true.

And then she told me that she had never told it but to a single person, in confidence, and that she had inadvertently alluded to it, and thus it became a common report.

So I think that Mrs.
Grimes cannot justly be charged with having sought to circulate the matter to your injury." "Very well, we will see how far that statement is correct," said Mrs.Comegys.