"Was this the way to return Ada's love and Mrs. Morrison's kindness? How did Mr. Barton offend me that I so shamefully slandered him?"
She began to think she had suffered enough to atone for her crime; that what was done could not be undone now; and therefore that it was useless to mourn longer. But the end was not yet.
Scarcely a month passed before Mrs. Mark called one day and requested to see her alone.
"Do you know," she asked quickly, "about poor Ada Morrison?"
"I know she is married."
After a searching glance, the lady asked,—
"Will you have the goodness to tell me the name of your informant concerning the rumors you heard about Mr. Barton?"
"I regret that I cannot oblige you. I'm sorry I ever mentioned the silly affair."
"Miss Perry is almost frantic at the trouble she has brought upon herself. She was actually brought before the council of ministers, and was forced to give your name as her authority for all the reports. Ada was there; as his betrothed wife, she insisted she had a right to be near him. When she heard your name, she fainted and was carried out of church. She was scarcely able to stand during the wedding ceremony, which she would not consent should be postponed, because Mr. Barton needed her more than ever; and now there are alarming symptoms of a hasty decline from the shock."
The lady paused as she noticed the blanched countenance of her hearer, but presently added, "If you could give me the name of your informant, it would relieve you from the terrible burden now resting on your shoulders."