ne. When the blackness of an
intolerable shame overshadowed me, you groped your way to the dungeon,
and held out your hands in confidence and sympathy. All the world
suspected; you trusted me. You offered your noble name as bond, and
made a place for me at your own sacred hearthstone. Do you think I can
ever forget the blessedness of the balm that your faith in me poured
into my crushed, despairing heart? Do you doubt that no sun sets,
without seeing me on my knees, praying God's blessing of perfect
happiness for you? What would I not do--what would I not suffer--to
secure your peace, and to prove my gratitude?"

Her voice vibrated like the silver string of a deep violon-cello, and
Leo, gazing up into the misty splendor of the beautiful sad eyes,
ceased to wonder at the fascination which she had exerted over Mr.
Dunbar. Unintentionally this woman's face had marred her life; had
unwittingly stolen her lover's heart; yet she believed no treachery
sullied the pure perfection of the soft red lips, and Leo's generous
nature rose above the narrow limits of ordinary feminine jealousy. Had
she doubted for an instant the theory that Beryl was heroically
suffering the penalty of a crime, in order to screen her guilty lover,
some suspicion of the truth might have dawned upon her.

"Suppose I intend to put your gratitude to the test? You have
exaggerated the debt which you acknowledge; are you prepared to cancel
it? If I say to you, because I believed in you, trusted you, will you
repay me now, by granting a favor which I shall ask?"

"I think Miss Gordon could express no wish that I would not gladly
execute, in order to promote her happiness."

"Will you come back to X----and help me to establish a home for women,
who are destitute alike of money and of family ties? When you preside
over it I shall be haunted by no fears of failure. Once, I gave you my
sympathy; now, when I need help, will you give me yours?"

Beryl shivered, and looked wonderingly at her companion. Was she indeed
so unsuspicious of the quicksand on which stood the fair temple of her
hopes in marriage?

"O, Miss Gordon! That is the one thing, in all the world, that for your
sake as well as mine, I could never do. No, no; impossible."

"Why, not for my sake, since I desire it so earnestly?"

A bright flush had risen in Leo's cheeks, and she threw back her small
head challengingly.

For a moment Beryl wavered. Could she bear to wound that proud spirit?