"I have no doubt you conceived you were acting for the best.

But I must caution you against such conduct for the future." After a pause, he added, "Is it your opinion that our poor deluded child still entertains any regard for this profligate nobleman ?" "I am sure she does," replied Mrs.Bloundel; "and it is from that conviction that I so strongly urge the necessity of marrying her to Leonard Holt." "I will never compel her to do anything to endanger her future happiness," returned the grocer.

"She must not marry Leonard Holt without loving him.

It is better to risk an uncertain evil, than to rush upon a certain one." "Then I won't answer for the consequences," replied his wife.
"What!" cried Bloundel; "am I to understand you have no reliance on Amabel?
Has all our care been thrown away ?" "I do not distrust her," returned Mrs.Bloundel; "but consider whom she has to deal with.

She is beset by the handsomest and most fascinating man of the day--by one understood to be practised in all the arts most dangerous to our sex--and a nobleman to boot.