ed on you I loved you. Do you mind the day?
Wait, dear; let me confess all. I did not wish to love you. I was in
love with myself, only seeking to satisfy my own pride and vain ambition
by striving to win a high place in the world. The way had opened before
me, and some day I was to be wise and learned, and a great man among
men. I fought against my love. Are you angry with me. Do you despise
me? But love conquered. Love is strong and true."

Allison's colour changed; and, for a moment, her eyes fell before his;
but she raised them again, and said, gravely and firmly:

"John, when a good man loves a woman whom he believes to be good, what
is due from him to her?"

"Ah! Allison. Let me have a chance to show you! It will take a long
life to do it."

"John, let me speak. Does he not honour her in his heart? And does he
not uphold her honour before the world?"

"We would go away together across the sea."

"Hush! Do not say it. Do not make me sorry that you love me. Do not
make me doubt it."

"Ah! but you cannot doubt it. You will never be able to doubt that I
love you. Allison, do you love me, ever so little? I could teach you,
dear, to love me."

He sought to take her hand, but she would not yield it to him.

"And your mother, John?"

"She would forgive us, if it were once done."

"And my mother, up in heaven? What would she think if she were to know?
No, John, it cannot be."

"You do not love me. You would not hesitate if you loved me."

"Do I not love you? I am not sure. I think I might learn to love you;
but I could not go with you. No, I could not."

"Allison, I could make you a happy woman," said John, ending where he
had begun.

"And would you be a happy man? Not if you are the good man that I have
ay believed you to be. You would be wretched, John; and seeing it,
could I be happy, even if my conscience slumbered?"

"Allison, do you love me, ever so little? Whatever else is to be said,
look once into my face and say, `John, I love you.'"

She looked into his face as he bade her, and her own changed, as she met
his eyes. But she did meet them bravely.

"I think I might have learned to love you--as you said--but I will not
do you that wrong. You may suffer for a while, but your life will not
be lost. God be with you, and fare ye well."

She rose as she spoke. John rose also, pained and angry. He did not
take the hand which she held out to him.

"Is that all you