late yet. Clara must know the truth."

"Think what may be the consequence," said Nears.

"Think, rather, what _have been_ the consequences," was the wife's
reply.

It was in vain that Mears argued with his wife about the policy of
letting the matter rest where it was. She was a woman, and could
only feel how deeply Clara had been wronged, as well as the
necessity for an immediate reparation of that wrong. For more than
an hour, she argued the matter with her husband who finally
consented that she should see Clara, and correct the serious error
under which she had been labouring. Early on the next day, Mrs.
Mears called upon the unhappy girl. A closer observation of her face
than she had before made revealed deep marks of suffering.

"And all this 'for the fun of it!'" she could not help saying to
herself with a feeling of sorrow. After conversing a short time with
Clara, Mrs. Mears said--

"I heard something, last night, so nearly affecting your peace, that
I have lost no time in seeing you."

"What is that?" asked Clara, a flush passing over her face.

"Two years ago, you were engaged in marriage to Mr. Fisher?"

Clara made no reply, but the flush faded from her face and her lips
quivered slightly for a moment.