s to me, Miss Trevannion, I could do no
less than accept the offer."

"You would have been more wise and more just to yourself to have refused
it, Mr Musgrave. I read the letters to my father when they arrived,
and you know what Captain Irving says about the unhealthiness of the
climate. You have been my father's best friend, and he should not have
treated you thus."

"I never did value life, Miss Trevannion; but really the kind interest
you have expressed on this occasion makes me feel as if my poor life was
of some value. To one who has been such a football of fortune as I have
been, and who has hardly known a kind feeling towards him ever
expressed, it is a gratification that I really appreciate, and, coming
from one whom I respect and esteem more than any other person in the
world, it quite overpowers me. Indeed, Miss Trevannion, I am truly
grateful."

I was correct when I said that it overpowered me, for it did completely,
and I was so oppressed by my feelings, that I reeled to a chair, and
covered up my face with my hands. What would I have given to have dared
to state what I felt!

"You are ill, Mr Musgrave," said Miss Trevannion, coming to me. "Can I
offer you anything?"

I made no reply; I could not speak.

"Mr Musgrave," said Miss Trevannion, taking my hand, "you frighten me.
What is the matter? Shall I call Humphrey?"

I felt her hand tremble in mine, and, uncertain what to think, I came to
the resolution to make the avowal.

"Miss Trevannion," said I, after a pause, and rising from my chair, "I
feel that this internal conflict is too great for me, and if it last it
must kill me. I give you my honour that I have for months tried
everything in my power to curb my desires and to persuade myself of my
folly and rash ambition, but I cannot do so any longer. It were better
that I knew my fate at once, even if my sentence should be my death.
You will ridicule my folly, be surprised at my presumption, and, in all
probability, spurn me for the avowal, but make it I must. Miss
Trevannion, I have dared--to love you; I have but one excuse to offer,
which is, that I have been more than a year in your company, and it is
impossible for any one not to love one so pure, so beautiful, and so
good. I would have postponed this avowal till I was able to resume my
position in society, by the means which industry might have afforded me;
but my departure upon this business, and the kind of presentiment which
I