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the bottom of it; when one morning, an hour or two before my usual hour of rising, up gets I; and after creeping as softly as a mouse down stairs, I saw by the light under this door that madam was there. I stood still and listened a bit; and as certain as I stand here, I heard a whispering. 'Ahum !' said I to myself, 'you be at your tricks sure enough;' then I just stooped down and took a peep through the keyhole, and there I saw," said the old woman, very slowly, and with great emphasis.

"Saw what?" quickly enquired Master Francis, trembling so he could scarce stand.

"I saw Joanna and-"

"And who?"

"And a man!" cried Margery, starting back; her skinny lips puckered up, and her little sharp eyes fixed on him, with a stare of horror; but, hush!" she suddenly exclaimed, her wrinkled and yellow physiognomy changing its expression, from intense indignation to extreme caution; "that be her foot on the stair: say not a word, I pray you, else shall I be ruined." No sooner, however, had Joanna entered at the door, which she then did,looking more beautiful than ever, dressed as if from a walk, than, with a smile, the old woman hastened up to her.

"It be you beyond all doubt," said she, as if overjoyed to see her, "as I was just a saying to this good youth. Indeed, and you have the sweet

est bloom on your delicate cheek I have seen you wear a long time. I warrant me now, you have had a right pleasant walk."

"Take these things and put them in my chamber," said the mercer's daughter to her, as she took off, and gave into her hands, her hat, muffler, and cloak.

"Ah, that will I upon the instant," replied Margery, cheerfully; and then, as soon as Joanna's back was turned from her, she gave a look full of meaning to Master Francis, put her finger to her lip, and hastened away.

During these few seconds the youth had been in a very agony of conflicting emotions. He seemed making up of his mind what to do; and yet there was such a tumult in him, of rage, and jealousy, and indignation, that he looked as if he knew not what he was about.

"I can scarce think that the voyage hath done you good, Francis," observed Joanna, as she approached him, "for in truth you look not so well as you used."

“Like enough,” replied he bitterly—“ aye, it be exceeding like indeed.”

“What aileth you?" she enquired, with much tenderness.

"Sick at heart!-si

swered Master Francis;

at heart!" quickly an

sick of the villainous

deceits that have been played upon me. Like

enough indeed to look not so well as I was. I went in the extreme comfort of thinking myself beloved by one I imagined to be possessed of a goodly store of all honourable virtues;-I return but to find that I have been the dupe of the very wickedest wanton that ever disgraced God's earth.”

"What mean you by this?" asked the mercer's daughter, seemingly in great astonishment.

"What mean I?" exclaimed the youth, indignantly. "Hast done no ill thing? hast given me no provocation to quarrel since I have been away, by the infamousness of thy behaviour?"

"None!" replied she, with exceeding earnestness; "I have done no ill thing: I have done nothing that should give you provocation to quarrel."

"Ha! and indeed!" cried her companion, now still more incensed against her; "dost tell me that, and come straight from the kisses of my Lord Cobham?" At hearing this the colour mounted into her cheek a little, of which he took speedy notice, and continued: "I see nature will take no part in so monstrous a lie. But I will at once confess that I was nearly as nigh unto you as I may be at this present, and heard all the shameless impudency of your proceedings. In truth, you have made of your lips a common, upon which every ass may find pasture. Go to! you are a wanton." And so saying, he turned away from her.

"I pray you, Francis, speak not in this way," said Joanna, in a very serious manner, and with a face somewhat troubled. "That my Lord Cobham hath caressed me, I acknowledge; but that I gave him any such return, is most untrue: and of ought worse than that done by me at any time, know I nothing."

"Dost think I can believe any such thing from you?" asked Master Francis, suddenly. "Dost think I know not more of such conduct?—even if 'twere not enough to condemn you by, as the stealing under a public gateway with one so noted; and going into hidden corners to be caressed by him. I tell you he be not the only one-nor Ralph Goshawk, whom you did unblushingly assure me you cared not for, to whom you have given such villainous encouragement; for I have knowledge of divers fine gallants that you must needs have to attend upon you, doubtless to afford you the like gratification. Nay, to such a pitch of shamelessness have you arrived, that it be known to more than one you have a man with you in private the whole night long; and then do yourself secretly let him out the street in the early morning. And this hath be done too when you have sworn you loved me alone!

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I do believe there existeth not in this world so deceitful a creature ;- one of so false a heart, and of so profligate a nature-one so thoroughly lost to all sense of honour and of true affection. Why,

the wretchedest woman that liveth upon her own iniquity, be no other than what she seems, and seeketh not to pass for anything better; but thou hast added hypocrisy to sin, and would hide the disposition of a wanton under the character of a vestal."

"Take heed," exclaimed the mercer's daughter, who, as she had listened, had become exceeding pale-her bosom heaved mightily—her brilliant eyes shot quick and uneasy glances, and, altogether, her appearance was that of one marvellously disturbed. "Take heed, Francis, I can bear much from you, but this-this I cannot bear."

"'Tis less than you have deserved," replied he. "And now I have done with you. There !” he cried, as approaching her closely he dashed at her feet the chain of gold she had of his uncle. "There lies one of the gifts with which you have sought to bribe me into a toleration of your infamous doings. And here!" he added, as he followed it with a purse that seemed tolerably well filled. "Here is that which will pay for the cost I have been to you in other things. Be assured hath been honestly come by; and not like your costly presents and generous supplying of my wants—the liberal wages of a more liberal iniquity.”

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To this she answered not save by a slight gasping as if for breath; but her brow became darker, and the expression of her eyes unnatural.

"I now take my leave of you," added Master

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