“Not in any case? Alas, I was afraid so!” said Mrs. Leslie, despondingly.
“In any case! Oh, there may be cases! But had I not better see the young woman, and ascertain that your benevolent heart has not deceived you?”
“I wish you would,” said Mrs. Leslie; “she is now in the house. I will ring for her.”
“Should we not be alone?”
“Certainly; I will leave you together.”
Alice was sent for, and appeared.
“This pious gentleman,” said Mrs. Leslie, “will confer with you for a few moments, my child. Do not be afraid; he is the best of men.” With these words of encouragement the good lady vanished, and Alice saw before her a tall dark man, with a head bald in front, yet larger behind than before, with spectacles upon a pair of shrewd, penetrating eyes, and an outline of countenance that showed he must have been handsome in earlier manhood.
“My young friend,” said the banker, seating himself, after a deliberate survey of the fair countenance that blushed beneath his gaze, “Mrs. Leslie and myself have been conferring upon your temporal welfare. You have been unfortunate, my child.”
“Ah—yes.”
“Well, well, you are very young; we must not be too severe upon youth. You will never do so again?”