beat quick with a presentiment of some
approaching event. She felt certain that the boat and the distant ship
were in some way connected with herself. But the thought hardly had
time to flash through her brain when a commotion in the old
apple-tree--a shaking of the limbs and tumultuous rustling of the
leaves--made her start and turn that way. The largest bough was that
instant spurned aside, and Jameson sprung through the open window. He
was out of breath and seemed greatly excited.

"Florence, my wife, come with me!" he said, casting his arms around
her shrinking form. "I will not go without you. See the vessel is
yonder--a boat is on the shore. In half an hour we can be away from
your father, alone, without hindrance to our love. Come, Florence,
come with your husband!"

Ah, but for the strength which Florence had sought from above, where
would she have been then. For a moment her heart did turn traitor; for
one single instant there came upon her cheek a crimson flush, and in
her eyes something that made Jameson's heart leap with exultation; but
it passed away, Florence broke from the arms that were cast around
her, and drew back toward the door.

"Leave me!" she said, mildly, but with firmness, "I am not your
wife--will never be!"

"You hate me, then!" exclaimed Jameson, goaded by her manner. "You
still believe what my enemies say against me."

"No, I hate no one--I could not hate you!"

"But you love me no longer."

Florence turned very pale, but still she was firm. "It matters nothing
if I love or hate now," she said, "henceforth, forever and forever,
you and I are strangers. If you have come here in hopes of taking me
from my father, go before he learns any thing of your visit; a longer
stay can only bring evil."

Again Jameson cast himself at her feet; again his masterly eloquence
was put forth to melt, to subdue, even to over-awe that fair girl; but
all that he could wring from her was bitter tears--all that he
accomplished was a renewal of anguish that prayer had hardly
conquered.

"And you will not go! You cast me off forever!" he exclaimed, starting
up with a fierce gesture and an expression of the eye that made her
shrink back.

"I cannot go--I will not go!" she said, in a low voice. "You have
already taught me how terrible a thing is remorse. Leave me in peace,
if you would not see me die!"

"And this is your final answer!" cried Jameson, and his eyes flashed
with fury.

"I can give no o