Chapter XXII.
MORE MANEUVERS OF MRS. GREY.
She, under fair pretense of saintly ends,
And well-placed words of sweetest courtesy
Baited with reason, not unplausible,
Glides into the easy hearts of men,
And draws them into snares.
—Milton's Comus.
When Mary Grey reached Richmond she went first to a quiet family hotel, where she engaged a room for a few days.
Then she took a carriage and drove to the rectory of old St. John's Church and presented her letter to the rector.
The reverend gentleman received her very kindly and cordially, and glanced over her letter, saying, as he returned it to her:
"But this was not at all necessary, my dear madam. I remember you perfectly, as a regular attendant and communicant of this church, while you were on a visit to the family of the late lamented Governor of this State."
"Yes, sir; but then I was only a visitor at the church, just as I was a guest at the Government House. Now I wish to be a member of the church, as I intend to become a permanent resident of the city," Mary Grey explained, with her charming smile.
The pastor expressed himself highly gratified, and [added:]