"Well, as I was going to say, being unable to substantiate my charges, I
would lay myself liable to prosecution for slander, which must be far from
pleasant, beside giving my adversary a decided advantage over me. In the
next place, my name would be coupled with those of blacklegs and secret
villains, a circumstance far more to be dreaded than the other. But I have
a still higher motive for wishing this affair to be kept quiet--your
daughter's welfare and fair name. Pardon me for being compelled to speak of
her in this connection; it is, I assure you, sorely afflicting to me; but I
shall strive to do my duty, even with the fear of offending before my eyes.
As already shown, your daughter's evidence, either publicly or privately
given, must lay upon me the weight of crime; in addition to this, I must
now undertake the formidable task of informing you that my enemy, who I
have already told you has an eye to your daughter's hand, is regarded by
her with favor. Do not be startled; I am but telling you the plain truth,
which, unless a stop can be put to the plotting now on foot, you will but
too soon find out to your sorrow. This fellow, who desires to rival me in
the affections of your daughter, has been pouring into her ear tales of
every sort to prejudice her against me--and I fear with but too much
success. Lately, she avoids me whenever it is convenient to do so, while
she often walks out with my--no, he is too contemptible to be called a
rival.

"You now see the state of the case; you see on what a slippery place I
stand, and how much need there is of being wary and cautious where and how
I step. My fair name is in danger of being tarnished; my prospects for life
blighted; my hopes destroyed and myself suspected of being the associate
of villains. And all this has been so artfully contrived, I find myself in
the meshes of the net woven to entrap me, ere I had become aware of any
designs being formed against me, or that I had enemies who were endeavoring
to compass my ruin; and, worse than all, when these overwhelming truths are