bad woman.

She found him weak and unwary. His kindly nature, his high sense of
honor, his upright purpose, his loving devotion to Edith, were
nothing in her eyes. She spurned them in her thoughts, she trampled
them under her feet with scorn. But she studied his defects, and
soon knew every weak point in his character. She drew him out to
speak of himself, of his aims and prospects, of his friends and
associates, until she understood him altogether. Then she laid her
plans for his destruction.

Granger was holding a clerkship at the time of his marriage, but was
anxious to get a start for himself. He had some acquaintance with a
man named Lloyd Freeling, and often spoke of him in connection with
business. Freeling had a store on one of the best streets, and, as
represented by himself, a fine run of trade, but wanted more
capital. One day he said to Granger,

"If I could find the right man with ten thousand dollars, I would
take him in. We could double this business in a year."

Granger repeated the remark at home, Mrs. Dinneford listened, laid
it up in her thought, and on the next day called at the store of Mr.
Freeling to see what manner of man he was.

Her first impression was favorable--she liked him. On a second visit
she likes him better. She was not aware that Freeling knew her; in
this he had something of the advantage. A third time she dropped in,
asking to see certain goods and buying a small bill, as before. This
time she drew Mr. Freeling into conversation about business, and put