“Be assured,” replied I, “that I will keep your secret as long as prudence requires.  But I must leave you now; your mamma will wonder at our being thus closeted together.  When opportunity presents, we will converse further on the subject.  In the mean time keep yourself as composed as possible, if you would avoid suspicion.”  She raised her clasped hands, and with a piteous look, threw her handkerchief over her face, and reclined in her chair, without speaking a word.  I returned to my chamber, and endeavored to dissipate every idea which might tend to disorder my countenance, and break the silence I wished to observe relative to what had happened.

When I went down, Mrs. Wharton desired me to step up and inform Eliza that breakfast was ready.  She told me she could not yet compose herself sufficiently to see her mamma, and begged me to excuse her absence as I thought proper.  I accordingly returned for answer to Mrs. Wharton, that Eliza had rested but indifferently, and being somewhat indisposed, would not come down, but wished me to bring her a bowl of chocolate, when we had breakfasted.  I was obliged studiously to suppress even my thoughts concerning her, lest the emotions they excited might be observed.  Mrs. Wharton conversed much of her daughter, and expressed great concern about her health and state of mind.  Her return to this state of dejection, after having recovered her spirits and cheerfulness in a great degree, was owing, she feared, to some cause unknown to her; and she entreated me to extract the secret, if possible.  I assured her of my best endeavors, and doubted not, I told her, but I should be able in a few days to effect what she wished.

Eliza came down and walked in the garden before dinner; at which she commanded herself much better than I expected.  She said that a little ride might, she imagined, be of service to her, and asked me if I would accompany her a few miles in the afternoon.  Her mamma was much pleased with the proposition, and the chaise was accordingly ordered.

I observed to Eliza, as we rode, that with her natural and acquired abilities, with her advantages of education, with her opportunities of knowing the world, and of tracing the virtues and vices of mankind to their origin, I was surprised at her becoming the prey of an insidious libertine, with whose character she was well acquainted, and whose principles, she was fully apprised, would prompt him to deceive and betray her.  “Your surprise is very natural,” said she.  “The same will doubtless be felt and expressed by every one to whom my sad story is related.  But the cause may be found in that unrestrained levity of disposition, that fondness for dissipation and coquetry, which alienated the affections of Mr. Boyer from me.  This event fatally depressed and enfeebled my mind.  I embraced with avidity the consoling power of friendship, insnaringly offered by my seducer; vainly inferring, from his marriage with a virtuous woman, that he had seen the error of his ways, and forsaken his licentious practices, as he affirmed, and I, fool that I was, believed it.