"All very natural, Nell; but in the mean time, she might easily have
chosen a more respectable associate. Have you actually lost the sum of
six hundred pounds, my good madam?"

"I have positively lost so much," replied the woman, "together with the
certificate of my marriage."

"And how did you become acquainted with Nell M'Collum?" he inquired.

The stranger was silent, and blushed deeply at this question; but Nell,
with more presence of mind, went over to the magistrate, and whispered
something which caused him to start, look keenly at her, and then at the
plaintiff.

"I must have this confirmed by herself" he said in reply to Nell's
disclosure, "otherwise I shall be much more inclined to consider you the
thief than O'Rorke, whose character has been hitherto unimpeachable and
above suspicion."

He then beckoned the woman over to his desk, and after having first
inquired if she could write, and being replied to in the affirmative,
he placed a slip of paper before her, on which was written--"Is that
unhappy woman called Nell M'Collum, your mother?"

"Alas! she is, sir," replied the female, with a deep expression
of sorrow. The magistrate then appeared satisfied. "Now," said he,
addressing O'Rorke, "state, fairly and honestly what you have to say in
reply to the charge brought against you."

"Please your worship," said the young man, "you hear the woman say that