taken such an accusation for granted.'

To hinder his pleading against her self-conviction, she re-opened her
letter to prove the cruelty of the injustice. Mr. Ponsonby professed
to have been unwilling to enter so speedily on the new tie; but to
have been compelled, by the species of persecution which was
exercised on Rosita, in order to make her return to her nunnery. He
dwelt on her timid affection and simplicity, and her exceeding
mortification at the slur which Mary had been induced to cast upon
her; though, he said, her innocent mind could not comprehend the full
extent of the injury; since the step his daughter had taken would,
when known, seriously affect the lady's reception into society, in a
manner only to be repaired by Mary's immediately joining them at
Lima. He peremptorily indicated the ship and the escort--a
merchant's wife, well known to her and charged her, on her duty, as
the only proof of obedience or affection which could remedy the past,
to allow no influence nor consideration whatever to detain her. 'You
see?' said Mary.

'I see!' was the answer. 'Mary, you are right, you must go.'

The words restored her confiding look, and her face lost almost all
the restless wretchedness which had so transformed it. 'Thank you,'
she said, with a long breath; 'I knew you would see it so.'

'It will be a very pretty new style of wedding tour. Andes for Alps!
No, Mary, you need not suspect me of trifling now! I really mean it,
and, seriously, our going in that way would set this Rosita straight
with society much more handsomely and effectually. Don't doubt my
father--I will fetch him.'