er life has been so dreadfully unhealthy. She seems to have become
weak-minded. All her old interests have gone; she reads nothing but
novels, day after day.'

'I have noticed that.'

'How can we help her, Monica? Won't you make a sacrifice for the poor
girl's sake? Cannot I persuade you, dear? Your position has a bad
influence on her; I can see it has. She worries so about you, and then
tries to forget the trouble--you know how.'

Not that day, nor the next, could Monica listen to these entreaties.
But her sister at length prevailed. It was late in the evening;
Virginia had gone to bed, and the others sat silently, without
occupation. Miss Madden, after several vain efforts to speak, bent
forward and said in a low, grave voice,--

'Monica--you are deceiving us all. You are guilty.'

'Why do you say that?'

'I know it. I have watched you. You betray yourself when you are
thinking.'

The other sat with brows knitted, with hard, defiant lips.

'All your natural affection is dead, and only guilt could have caused
that. You don't care what becomes of your sister. Only the fear, or the
evil pride, that comes of guilt could make you refuse what we ask of
you. You are afraid to let your husband know of your condition.'

Alice could not have spoken thus had she not believed what she said.
The conviction had become irresistible to her mind. Her voice quivered
with intensity of painful emotion.

'That last is true,' said her sister, when there had been silence for a
minute.

'You confess it? O Monica--'

'I don't confess what you think,' went on the younger, with more
calmness than she had yet commanded in these discussions.

'Of that I am _not_ guilty. I am afraid of his knowing, because he will
never believe me. I have a proof which would convince anyone else; but,
even if I produced it, it would be no use. I don't think it is possible
to persuade him-when once he knows--'

'If you were innocent you would disregard that.'

'Listen to me, Alice. If I were guilty I should not be living here at
his expense. I only consented to do that when I knew what my condition
was. But for this thing I should have refused to accept another penny
from him. I should have drawn upon my own money until I was able to
earn my own living again. If you won't believe this it shows you know
nothing of me. Your reading of my face is all foolishness.'

'I would to God I were sure of what you say!' moaned Miss Madden, with
vehemence wh