irrevocable, do not render the execution of my purpose
more painful than necessity demands."

Seizing his hand, Muriel pressed it against her flushed cheek, and
pleaded falteringly,--

"Do not doom your poor little Muriel to such misery. Oh, Dr. Grey!
dear Dr. Grey, remember you promised my dying father to take his
place,--and he would never inflict such suffering on his child. You
have forgotten your promise!"

"No, dear child. It is because I hold it so sacred that I cannot yield
to your entreaties; and I must faithfully adhere to my obligations,
even though I forfeit your affection. I shall write to Mr. Granville
by the next mail, and it is my wish that henceforth the subject should
not be referred to. Cheer up, my child; three years will soon glide
away, and at the expiration of that time you will thank me for the
firmness which you now denounce as cruelty. Good-morning. Be sure to
think kindly of your guardian, whose heart is quite as sad as your
own."

She struggled and resisted, but he kissed her lightly on the
forehead, and as he left the room heard her bitter invectives against
his tyranny and hard-heartedness.

Crossing the elm-studded lawn, he approached a secluded walk, bordered
with lilacs and myrtle, and saw the figure of the governess pacing to
and fro.

During the four months that had elapsed since his last visit to
"Solitude," he scrutinized and studied her character more closely than
formerly, and the investigation only heightened and intensified his
esteem.

No hint of her history had ever passed the calm, patient lips, which
had forgotten how to laugh, and now, as he watched her pale,
melancholy face, which bore traces of extraordinary beauty, he
exonerated her from all blame in the ruinous deception that had
blasted more lives than one; and honored the silent heroism which so
securely locked her disappointment in her own heart. He knew that
consumption was the hereditary scourge of her family, that she bore in
her constitution the seeds of slowly but surely developing disease,
and did not marvel at the quiet indifference with which she treated
symptoms which he had several times pointed out as serious and
dangerous.

To-day her manner was excited, and her step betrayed very unusual
impatience.

"Miss Dexter, from the frequency of your cough I am afraid you are
imprudent in selecting this walk, which is so densely shaded that the
sun does not reach it until nearly noon. Are not your fee