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"Scoundrel! villain!" cried Mr Stewart vehemently.
"Nay, my good sir, be not so violent," said Mrs Mason. "He has been wrong, but he has been led step by step into error, and I really hope his heart is not corrupted. I think it is a proof of it, that he has permitted me to tell all I know concerning him without disguise."
Mr Stewart beckoning to her to proceed, she thus continued.
"When I first saw him, he was about ten or twelve years old, and had obtained great praise for managing the horse he rode at our village races. I did not see the race, but I saw the little fellow when he came to my lady for his reward. She liked his appearance, and engaged him for a page; for she had always two that attended in the drawing-room, dressed in coats covered with lace. Jack was a great favourite with all the house. He was indeed a very good-natured boy, but was spoiled among the servants; and as he grew
