At first there was a profusion of natural tears, and a profusion of embraces Each clung to the other for a while as though some feeling might be satisfied by mere contact; and then the woe of the thing, the woe of it, was acknowledged on both sides! They could agree that the wickedness of the wicked was very wicked.

Wherever might lie the sin of fraud and falsehood, the unmerited misfortunes of poor Hester were palpable enough.

They could weep together over the wrongs inflicted on that darling baby.

But by degrees it was impossible to abstain from alluding to the cause of their sorrow;--and such allusion became absolutely necessary when an attempt was made to persuade Hester to remain at her old home with her own consent.

This was done by her father on the evening of her arrival, in compliance with the plan that had been arranged.