o and fro.

At sight of Jael, she caught her by the hand, and said, "Well!"

"He is coming again to-morrow."

"Is he sorry?"

"Not he."

"Who would have thought he was so wicked?"

This seemed rather exaggerated to Jael; for with all Mrs. Little's
teaching she was not quite a lady yet in all respects, though in many
things she was always one by nature. "Let it pass," said she.

"'It is a man's part to try,
And a woman's to deny.'"

"And how often shall I have to deny him I love so dearly?"

"As often as he asks you to be his mistress; for, call it what you like,
that is all he has to offer you."

Grace hid her face in her hands.

Jael colored. "Excuse my blunt speaking; but sometimes the worst word is
the best; fine words are just words with a veil on."

"Will he dare to tempt me again, after what I said?"

"Of course he will: don't you know him? he never gives in. But, suppose
he does, you have your answer ready."

"Jael," said Grace, "you are so strong, it blinds you to my weakness.
I resist him, day after day! I, who pity him so, and blame myself! Why,
his very look, his touch, his voice, overpower me so that my whole frame
seems dissolving: feel how I tremble at him, even now. No, no; let those
resist who are sure of their strength. Virtue, weakened by love and
pity, has but one resource--to fly. Jael Dence, if you are a woman, help
me to save the one thing I have got left to save."

"I will," said Jael Dence.

In one hour from that time they had packed a box and a carpetbag, and
were on their way to a railway station. They left Hillsborough.

In three days Jael returned, but Grace Coventry did not come back with
her.

The day after that trying scene, Henry Little called, not to urge Grace
again, as she presumed he would, but to ask pardon: at the same time we
may be sure of this--that, after a day or two spent in obtaining pardon,
the temptation would have been renewed, and so on forever. Of this,
however, Little was not conscious: he came to ask pardon, and offer a
pure and patient love, till such time as Heaven should have pity on them
both. He was informed that Mrs. Coventry had quitted Hillsborough, and
left a letter for him. It was offered him; he snatched it and read it.

"MY OWN DEAR HENRY,--You have given me something to forgive, and I
forgive you without asking, as I hope you will one day forgive me. I
have left Hillsborough to avoid a situation that was intolerable an