ELOPEMENT 93 



the weakness of her heart or understanding, the nod and 

 smile of its conductor soon supplanted the tuition of either 

 the drawing or music master. After a few stolen inter- 

 views with this member of so engaging a profession, in an 

 unhappy hour she consented to an elopement, and was 

 married to him. 



It was not long before she had good reasons for repent- 

 ing the steps she had taken ; and while lamenting and 

 telling me the many evil consequences of her error, 

 arising principally from his ill-treatment, she went into 

 an adjoining room and dragged from the place of its 

 concealment a large portmanteau. She informed me that 

 it was once full of the most valuable articles, adding, — 



" I have at this moment the life of my husband in my 

 hands, for he purloined this from the coach he once drove, 

 and disposed of its contents." 



I did not stoj) to inquire whether she partook of the 

 benefits arising from such a criminal act, but failed not 

 to discover, as she gave me her history, intermingled as it 

 was with tears, that her hatred of the vile means by which 

 he supported his extravagance and otherwise profligate 

 conduct caused her to separate from him, and to seek to 

 obtain her own living. 



Although I listened to her story with painful attention, 

 and commiserated the poor woman's unhappy and as it 

 seemed irreparable condition, my greater annoyance arose 

 from my lot being cast with a fraternity where such men 

 as the one she had been speaking of and Monops were 

 looked upon as its principal ornaments. 



I resolved, therefore, to shake off my acquaintance with 

 them ; in furtherance of Avhich I took private lodgings, 



