"The story is an affecting one; and if you like, I'll repeat it to you."
"Do," returned Alice; "I have a curiosity to hear it."
"'You remember,' she went on, 'that pale, intellectual lady you saw riding with me last week?'
"I had noticed her particularly, for she was very beautiful, though so sickly; and I told her so.
"'She was a gay belle ten years ago; no party was thought perfect without her presence. She was amiable, too, and very accomplished; that is, she sang well, danced divinely, as her admirers used to tell her, talked French as fluently as her native tongue; but she had a habit of telling white lies, which threw a blight over her fair prospects, and in the end destroyed her peace.
"'Mr. Stanton, the gentleman who had won her from a score of admirers, really believed her to be an angel. The possibility of her violating or falsifying her word had probably never occurred to him; for he had that high sense of honor which would have led him to forfeit his life rather than be guilty of an act of deception.
"'A French singer of rather questionable reputation just about that time came to the city, and attracted great crowds to her concerts. Miss Hill had a great desire to hear her; but, after listening to her friend's arguments against encouraging a person of such character, she declared nothing would tempt her to go. This was her first lie, for she meant to join a party the next evening; but how to deceive her lover was the question.
"'The next morning, with the help of a friend, the plan was made. She was to go early before the hour when he usually made his appearance, call for her chaperone in a carriage, leaving word with the servant that she had gone to pass the evening with a sick friend, and would not be at home till late. In order to make this excuse more plausible, Miss Hill wrote her lover an affectionate letter, regretting the necessity that deprived her of the pleasure of his company for the evening, adding, "I know that you would say duty is paramount in this case."
"'The carriage was at the door at the moment, and, giving extra charges to the girl to say nothing that could betray her, she hastened away to the brilliant scene.
"'Soon after, Mr. Stanton made his appearance with a carriage to take her to the E—House, where some valued friends had just arrived. He was exceedingly disappointed, as he had promised them, he would call with her. He read her note, and asked the girl in what street the sick friend lived.