"I am acquainted with the lady, a most respectable person, and she has shown me the certificate of marriage." "The certificate of marriage!" cried the Colonel, all aghast.
"Yes, sir, and this is not the first time I have given this information in confidence.

Mrs.Walter Clifford, who is a kind-hearted woman, and has long ceased to suffer bitterly from her husband's desertion, requested me to warn a young lady, whose name was Miss Mary Bartley, of this fact.

I did so, and showed her the certificate.

She was very much distressed, and no wonder, for she was reported to be engaged to Mr.Walter Clifford; but I explained to Miss Bartley that there was no jealousy, hostility, or bitterness in the matter; the only object was to save her from being betrayed into an illegal act, and one that would bring ruin upon herself, and a severe penalty upon Mr.Walter Clifford." Colonel Clifford turned very pale, but he merely said, in a hoarse voice, "Go on, sir." "Well, sir," said Monckton, "I thought the matter was at an end, and, having discharged a commission which was very unpleasant to me, I had at all events saved an innocent girl from tempting Mr.Walter Clifford to his destruction and ruining herself.

I say, I thought and hoped so.