to-day; but I am sorry to say he is wicked as well as poor."

"What mean you? You surely can allege nothing against one so noble, and
possessed of such pure principles, as Charles Hadley?"

"Alas, my daughter, he has basely deceived you."

"Father!"

"I would not say so on slight grounds, but it is too sadly true."

"I must have proof, strong proof, ere I can believe that he is false."

"Could you bear such an exposure?"

"Yes."

"Then you shall have the evidence of his guilt at once."

Saying this, he produced the letter before spoken of, and placed it in her
hands for perusal.

It would be impossible to describe Eveline's feelings while examining the
contents of the letter. At first, the evidence appeared so conclusive and
overwhelming her strong faith in her lover was shaken; but a second reading
and second thoughts restored her confidence, yet she could hardly account
for the change in her feelings and judgment, the evidence was just as
strong as before, and she could not help acknowledging the fact; she only
knew that she _felt_ Hadley was innocent; and she would trust this
intuitive conviction in preference to any anonymous communication that