book I have endeavored to deserve their approbation and to cast no

discredit upon a profession that I honor more than any other upon the broad earth. If I have succeeded, no human being can be more grateful than I shall be for the public opinion that assures me of it; but, to satisfy even my humble ambition, it must be an opinion honestly earned and frankly given. Popularity won without merit, and lost without blame, would be valueless to me, even while it lasted.

New York, May 22, 1854.

Contents.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. The Strawberry Girl and Market Woman 9

II. The Old Couple in the Back Basement 26

III. The Lone Mansion and its Mistress 43

IV. The Astor House--the Ride--the Attic Room 54

V. Mistress and Servant in Consultation 72

VI. The Tempter and the Tempted--the young heart yields 81

VII. The Old Homestead and Home Memories 89

VIII. The City Cottage and its Strange Inmate 110

IX. Mrs. Gray's Thanksgiving Dinner--Julia and Robert 126

X. The Brother's Return--Questions and Answers 141

XI. The Mother's Letter and the Son's Commentary 158

XII. Strife for an Earl--Mrs. Sykes and Mrs. Nash 163

XIII. The Morning Lesson--Doubt--Sympathy--Misery 179

XIV. A Wedding Foreshadowed--Sunshine of the Heart 187

XV. The Mother's Appeal--the Son's Falsehood 194

XVI. The Bridal Wreath--Roses and Cypress 211

XVII. An Hour before the Ball--Strides of Destiny 222

XVIII. The Forged Check--Uncle and Nephew 228

XIX. Night and Morning--Wild Heart Strife 234

XX. The Last Interview--Parting--Death 251

XXI. The City Prison--Examination for Murder 266

XXII. The Imprisoned Witness in the Female Ward 282

XXIII. The Three Old Women in Fulton Market 299

XXIV. The First Night in Prison--Prayers--Tears--Dreams 311

XXV. Little Georgie--his Mother and Julia Warren 319

XXVI. Mrs. Gray and the Prison Woman 330

XXVII. Struggles and Revels--Unquenched Anguish 338

XXVIII. Ada Leicester and Jacob Strong 344

XXIX. Ada's Solitary Breakfast--Desolation of Heart 350

XXX. The Prison Woman in Ada's Dressing-Room 354

XXXI. The Tombs Lawyer and his Client Mrs. Gray 366

XXXII. The Lawyer's Visit to his Client 372

XXXIII. The Trial for Murder--Opening Scenes 380

XXXIV. The Two Witnesses--Recognition too Late 388

XXXV. The Verdict--Stillness--Death-Shadows 399

XXXVI. The Parents, the Child and Grandchild 405

XXXVII. The Dawning of Light--Angelic Missions 412

XXXVIII. Gathering for the Execution 414

XXXIX. Hearts and Consciences at Rest 422

FASHION AND FAMINE.