"In what way?"

"By destroying, in a good degree, my confidence in the sex. Had that
confidence been unshaken, you would, long ere this time, have been my wife;
but how could I trust my happiness with woman when woman had proved
treacherous? I had been once deceived, and distrust had taken the place of
faith, when I met you. You know the result. Now tell me, has not this girl
injured you deeply?"

"It may be so; but why not let her go? What good can it do to pursue her
with vengeance? Perhaps she has repented. How wicked, then, to destroy her
peace of mind."

"Dream not that such as she will ever repent. But to satisfy you on this
point, I can say, _I know she has not changed from what she was_; and it is
this knowledge that, above all things, urges me on in my plans."

"Well, what do you wish me to do?"

"Listen. I have just learned that this girl, in company with her family,
will be in town to-day, on their way to Ohio or Kentucky, and will put up
at this house. Now I wish you to so place the young lady, that I can have
access to her sleeping apartment; this is all."

"I cannot do it."

"You can; I will take number eighteen for the night; put her in seventeen,
and it is all I ask. I am sure this is easily done."