inst him and her, especially the
latter: him, I still feel that I could pardon--freely, gladly--on the
slightest token of repentance; but she--words cannot utter my abhorrence.
Reason forbids, but passion urges strongly; and I must pray and struggle
long ere I subdue it.

It is well that she is leaving to-morrow, for I could not well endure her
presence for another day. This morning she rose earlier than usual. I
found her in the room alone, when I went down to breakfast.

'Oh, Helen! is it you?' said she, turning as I entered.

I gave an involuntary start back on seeing her, at which she uttered a
short laugh, observing, 'I think we are both disappointed.'

I came forward and busied myself with the breakfast things.

'This is the last day I shall burden your hospitality,' said she, as she
seated herself at the table. 'Ah, here comes one that will not rejoice
at it!' she murmured, half to herself, as Arthur entered the room.

He shook hands with her and wished her good-morning: then, looking
lovingly in her face, and still retaining her hand in his, murmured
pathetically, 'The last--last day!'

'Yes,' said she with some asperity; 'and I rose early to make the best of
it--I have been here alone this half-hour, and you--you lazy creature--'

'Well, I thought I was early too,' said he; 'but,' dropping his voice
almost to a whisper, 'you see we are not alone.'

'We never are,' returned she. But they were almost as good as alone, for
I was now standing at the window, watching the clouds, and struggling to
suppress my wrath.

Some more words passed between them, which, happily, I did not overhear;
but Annabella had the audacity to come and place herself beside me, and
even to put her hand upon my shoulder and say softly, 'You need not
grudge him to me, Helen, for I love him more than ever you could do.'

This put me beside myself. I took her hand and violently dashed it from
me, with an expression of abhorrence and indignation that could not be
suppressed. Startled, almost appalled, by this sudden outbreak, she
recoiled in silence. I would have given way to my fury and said more,
but Arthur's low laugh recalled me to myself. I checked the half-uttered
invective, and scornfully turned away, regretting that I had given him so
much amusement. He was still laughing when Mr. Hargrave made his
appearance. How much of the scene he had witnessed I do not know, for
the door was ajar when he entered. He greeted hi