The manner in which my daughter had cleared out with Walter Bell greatly disturbed me; I was angry undoubtedly, but sorrow was mingled with my anger. She had connected herself with a set that I did not like; it would be harsh to say they were bad, though the young man's conduct was far from being in good odour; but they were all heady and irascible, and something was daily befalling the minister to exasperate his fierce passions. On more than one occasion, his behaviour had been so wild, that some folk said he was touched in the brain, and others that he was fey, and would surely commit some rash act. Loving, therefore, as I did with all fatherly affection my poor misguided Mary, as my anger cooled my grief increased, and I wist not what to do; but I had a large experience of my wife's good sense and prudence in the midst of my affliction.

So long as she saw my mind in a state of heat and irritation she said nothing, and she cautioned my friends and the rest of the family to abstain from speaking to me on the subject; John Waft was not permitted to enter the door: but when the whirlwind was over, and I was beginning to gather again my scattered thoughts and affections, she softly led me into a discourse on the necessity of helping the young couple. I had myself been turning the matter in my own mind, and was pleased with the motherly kindness which led her to be the first to speak of it. It was therefore agreed between us, that in consideration of Walter Bell's unsteady character, the settlement from me should be on Mary, for her own particular behoof.

Accordingly, in the course of the same day, I went to Mr. Document, the attorney of Hoskins and Todd, and directed him to prepare a deed to that effect;—he did the business of the concern; but Mr. Hoskins had another, one Mr. Special, who managed his private affairs: indeed, there was no lack of the profession, nor of doctors either, in the town:—it could not be that such an accumulation of life and property as had taken place at Judiville would yield no carrion for the birds and beasts of prey.