CHAPTER VIII.
ISABEL MARLAY.
Isabel Marlay was not the niece of our friend Squire Plausaby, but of his first wife.

Plausaby, Esq., had been the guardian of her small inheritance in her childhood, and the property had quite mysteriously suffered from a series of curious misfortunes: the investments were unlucky; those who borrowed of the guardian proved worthless, and so did their securities.

Of course the guardian was not to blame, and of course he handled the money honestly.

But people will be suspicious even of the kindest and most smoothly-speaking men; and the bland manner and innocent, open countenance of Plausaby, Esq., could not save him from the reproaches of uncharitable people.

As he could not prove his innocence, he had no consolation but that which is ever to be derived from a conscience void of offense.
Isabel Marlay found herself at an early age without means.