'There is nothing bad--but a lie.' 'A lie may be so very bad!' 'Yes, indeed; and this lie is very bad.

Do you remember my telling you--about a woman ?' 'That Mrs.Smith;--the dancing woman ?' 'Yes;--her.' 'Of course I remember.' 'She was one of those, it seems, who bought the Polyeuka mine.' 'Oh, indeed!' 'She, with Crinkett and others.

Now they want their money back again.' 'But can they make you send it?
And would it be very bad--to lose it ?' 'They cannot make me send it.

They have no claim to a single shilling.
And if they could make me pay it, that would not be very bad.' 'What is it, then?
You are afraid to tell me ?' 'Yes, my darling,--afraid to speak to you of what is so wicked;--afraid to shock you, to disgust you; but not afraid of any injury that can be done to you.

No harm will come to you.' 'But to you ?' 'Nor to me;--none to you, or to me, or to baby there.' As he said this she clutched his hand with hers.