ll has admitted me to partnership; my success I consider
an established fact. Give up, for a season, this projected tour of Europe;
wait till I can go with you--till I can take you; go back to W---- with me.
You can continue your art studies, if you wish it; you can prosecute them
there as well as here. You are ambitious, Electra; so am I; let us work
together."

She raised her head and looked up at the powerful, nobly-proportioned form,
the grand, kingly face, calm and colourless, the large, searching black
eyes, within whose baffling depths lay all the mysteries of mesmerism, and
a spasm of pain seized her own features. She shaded her brow, and
answered--

"No, Russell; I could not entertain that thought an instant."

"Are you too proud to accept a home from me?"

"Not too proud, exactly; but, as long as I have health, I mean to make a
support. I will not burden you."

"Full value received for benefit rendered is not charity; come to W----,
share my future, and what fortune I may find assigned me. I have bought the
cottage, and intend to build a handsome house there some day, where you and
Mr. Campbell and I can live peacefully. You shall twine your aesthetic
fancies all about it, to make it picturesque enough to suit your fastidious
artistic taste. Come and save me from what you consider my worse than
vandalian proclivities. I came here simply and solely in the hope of
prevailing on you to return with me. I make this request, not because I
think it will be expected of me, but for more selfish reasons--because it
is a matter resting very near my heart."

"Oh, Russell! you tempt me."

"I wish to do so. My blood beats in your veins; you are the only relative I
value, and were you indeed my sister, I should scarcely love you more. With
all a brother's interest, why should I not claim a brother's right to keep
you with me, at least until you find your Pylades, and give him a higher
claim before God and man? Electra, were I your brother, you would require
no persuasion; why hesitate now?"

She clasped her hands behind her, as if for support in some fiery ordeal,
and, gathering up her strength, spoke rapidly, like one who fears that
resolution will fail before some necessary sentence is pronounced.

"You are very kind and generous, Russell, and for all that you have offered
me I thank you from the depth of a full heart. The consciousness of your
continued interest and affection is inexpressibly precious; but my
di