gratitude in
a way which I regretted myself. The next morning she returned
with her brother, and a lawyer, who drew up my will, and saw
me sign it, as well as my promise of marriage. John Harding
looked gloomy and dark; he evidently disapproved of the whole
affair, and thought his niece had the worst of the bargain, as
I heard him muttering to himself; but he was always completely
governed by his sister; and though he has since attempted to
annoy me in different ways, he has never yet ventured to act
for himself, except in that foolish attempt to frighten you at
Brandon, which his son forced him into, and which he thought,
if successful, might be more profitable to himself than the
arrangement as it then stood. Now, Ellen, can you understand,
that, after all this, in spite of Alice's beauty and of her
merits (for I do not attempt to deny them), the idea of
marrying her was always connected in my mind with so much that
was painful and disgraceful in my past life, that I shrunk
from it with a morbid repugnance, which I vainly tried to
conquer?

"Now, Ellen--now I am come to the time when every feature of
my history is closely connected with yours. Dearest Ellen,
listen to me calmly; and if I speak of feelings which must not
now be proclaimed to the world; if, in going over the ground
which we once trod together, words of love and of regret
escape my lips; forgive me! bear with me! and forget
everything but that I have loved and lost you--that I deserve
to be pitied."

After a pause, he said, "I have not asked you for a promise of
secrecy; I am not afraid of being in _your_ power; but, dear
Ellen, there are facts which I am now going to reveal to you,
which concern you personally; and yet which you must give me a
solemn promise never to reveal to any one."

"If they concern me personally," I hastily replied, "surely I
can decide for myself on that point; I will bind myself by no
promise. You are not afraid of being in my power, and you are
right; but you wish--forgive me, Henry, I must speak the
truth--you wish to keep me in yours; and this is ungenerous."

"When you know the truth," he answered coldly, "you will
retract this unkind accusation. If you intend, which I suppose
is the case, to marry Edward Middleton, you are no doubt
anxious to keep no secret from him; but I protest unto you,
Ellen, that if you do marry him, especially in ignorance of
the real nature of your position, you will bring upon
yourself,-