Would they have influenced you in your attitude towards him ?" "Only in this," I replied; "that we should have made it our business to inquire into the truth of those reports and ascertain their origin." "That is what one should always do, I suppose," said she, still with an air of deep thoughtfulness which encouraged me to inquire-- "May I ask if anyone to your knowledge has ever said anything to Mr.
Reuben's disadvantage ?" She pondered for some time before replying, and kept her eyes bent pensively on the ground.

At length she said, not without some hesitation of manner-- "It is a small thing and quite without any bearing on this affair.

But it has been a great trouble to me since it has to some extent put a barrier between Reuben and me; and we used to be such close friends.

And I have blamed myself for letting it influence me--perhaps unjustly--in my opinion of him.

I will tell you about it, though I expect you will think me very foolish.
"You must know, then, that Reuben and I used, until about six months ago, to be very much together, though we were only friends, you understand.