an opinion once formed, unless the most positive evidence compelled him to
do so, and then it was a silent acquiescence to the right rather than a
willing change of opinion.

But a long continuance in the sick room, and the great distress of his
child, had had an effect upon his mind, which no amount of reasoning could
have produced--he was constrained to acknowledge himself in error, and
brought his mind up to that point where he was willing to confess the wrong
he had perpetrated, by "undoing what he had done amiss." This was a great
achievement for one of his temperament--a conquest over self in a very
selfish and stubborn nature--which gave evidence that there was yet an
under strata of good, a foundation to the character of the man, which,
though covered up by the rubbish and rank growth of pride and other
unamiable dispositions, still existed, and was capable of exciting to good
and noble deeds.

Having once gained the consent of his mind and formed a resolution to
retract, he was not long in taking the initiatory step toward amendment.

He inquired of the maid and nurse if Hadley had been seen, and learned from
them that he had been in the daily practice of asking after the condition
of Eveline, and that for this purpose he came to a certain designated spot,
where one of the two met him to impart such information as he desired. No
sooner was Mr. Mandeville put in possession of this piece of news, than he
resolved to meet Hadley at the place of conference himself, and then and
there recall his words and invite him to the house, from which he had been
excluded so unjustly. Verily this was a change!

Acting upon this resolve, he walked out in the direction of the place where
Hadley was expected to make his appearance. As he leisurely sauntered down