er word on the subject, if it is painful to you. I know better
than to persecute a woman with my addresses, if I see she does not like
them. But do you REALLY not like them?"

"No, I do not," said Elsie, abruptly. "You will see hundreds of other
women who would suit you far better than I could do."

"If you would only love me, I should be quite satisfied with your
suiting me--but if you cannot, there need be no more said about it."

Jane was engaged with her pupils when her sister arrived, and Mrs.
Phillips, who had not been very regular in her attendance at school
lately, stayed in the room this morning in order to see and remark upon
Miss Melville's pretty sister. She could see little beauty in the sad
face, with the weary look about the eyes, and the lines round the
mouth, that had been the result of Elsie's real experience of life. The
figure, Mrs. Phillips confessed to her husband and to Mr. Brandon, was
rather good, but wanted development; it was too much of the
whipping-post order. The Misses Phillips said they really thought Jane
the better looking of the two girls, for she had such a beautiful
expression; while Mr. Phillips said that Elsie had fallen off sadly
since he saw her in Edinburgh at the new year. She had struck him then
as being very pretty, but he did not think so now, and, of course, in
every other respect but personal appearance she could not be compared
with her sister. Dr. Phillips said he must have her examined about her
cough, for it should not be trifled with. He hoped that it had not been
too long neglected. All these remarks, coming immediately after his
refusal by the object of them, made Brandon somewhat reconciled to the
circumstance, though if he had had a kinder answer, they would have
made no difference in his feelings towards Elsie, but would probably
have made him love her all the more.

When Harriett Phillips spoke in warm praise of Miss Melville's
excellent understanding, and her fine, open, intelligent, expression of
countenance, he thought he never saw her own countenance look so open
or so attractive. He felt disposed to be consoled, and he was very sure
that she was quite willing to console him.

Jane saw much amiss with her darling sister at the first glance, but
hoped that the change, and Dr. Phillips's advice, which he had said
would be at her service, and her own society, would benefit Elsie
greatly.

Elsie did not muster courage to tell Jane of the incident of the
r