rom her
miserable fate I would fain save my pupil."

He knew from the tremor of her lips and hands, and the momentary
contraction of her fair brow, to whom she alluded; and both sighed
audibly.

"My convictions coincide so entirely with yours, that I have had an
interview with my ward, and withdrawn my consent to her marriage until
she is of age."

"Thank God! In the interim she may grow wiser, or some fortuitous
occurrence may avert the danger we dread."

In the brief silence that ensued, the governess seemed debating the
expediency of making some revelation; and, encountering one of her
perplexed and scrutinizing glances, the doctor smiled and said,
gravely,--

"I believe I understand your hesitancy; but I assure you I should
never forfeit any trust you might repose in me. You have some cause of
serious annoyance, entirely irrespective of my ward, and I may be
instrumental in removing it."

"Thank you, Dr. Grey. For some days I have been canvassing the
propriety of asking your advice and assistance; and my reluctance
arose not from want of confidence in you, but from dread of the pain
it would necessarily inflict upon me, to recur to events long buried.
It is not essential, however, that I should weary you with the minutiae
of circumstances which many years ago smothered the sunshine in my
life, and left me in darkness, a lonely and joyless woman. I have
resided here long enough to learn the noble generosity of your
character, and to you, as a true Christian gentleman, I come for
aid,--premising only that what I am about to say is strictly
confidential."

"As such, I shall ever regard it; but if I am to become your coajutor
in any matter, let me request that nothing be kept secret, for only
entire frankness should exist between those who have a common aim."

A painful flush tinged her cheek, and the fair, thin face, grew
indescribably mournful, as she clasped her hands firmly over his arm.

"Dr. Grey, when unscrupulous men or women deliberately stab the
happiness of a fellow-creature, they have no wounded sensibilities, no
haunting compunction,--and if remorse finally overtakes, it finds them
well-nigh callous and indurated; but woe to that innocent being who is
the unintentional and unconscious agent for the ruin of those she
loves. I cannot remember the time when I did not love the only man for
whom I ever entertained any affection. He was the playmate of my
earliest years,--the betrothed of my young ma