r face, and when I
saw it there I should be broken-hearted.

But this is not all. If there were nothing further, I
think I should give way because I am only a weak girl; and
your words, my own, own love, would get the better of me.
But there is another thing. It is hard for me to tell,
and why should you be troubled with it? But I think if I
tell it you out and out, so as to make you understand the
truth, then you will be convinced. Mrs. Roden could tell
you the same. My dear, dear father could tell you also;
only that he will not allow himself to believe, because of
his love for the only child that remains to him. My mother
died; and all my brothers and sisters have died. And I
also shall die young.

Is not that enough? I know that it will be enough. Knowing
that it will be enough, may I not speak out to you, and
tell you all my heart? Will you not let me do so, as
though it had been understood between us, that though we
can never be more to each other than we are, yet we may
be allowed to love each other? Oh, my dearest, my only
dearest, just for this once I have found the words in
which I may address you. I cannot comfort you as I can
myself, because you are a man, and cannot find comfort in
sadness and disappointment, as a girl may do. A man thinks
that he should win for himself all that he wants. For a
girl, I think it is sufficient for her to feel that, as
far as she herself is concerned, that would have been
given to her which she most desires, had not Fortune been
unkind. You, dearest, cannot have what you want, because
you have come to poor Marion Fay with all the glory and
sweetness of your love. You must suffer for a while. I,
who would so willingly give my life to serve you, must
tell you that it will be so. But as you are a man, pluck
up your heart, and tell yourself that it shall only be for
a time. The shorter the better, and the stronger you will
show yourself in overcoming the evil that oppresses you.
And remember this. Should Marion Fay live to know that you
had brought a bride home to your house, as it will be your
duty to do, it will be a comfort to her to feel that the
evil she has done has been cured.

MARION.

I cannot tell you how proud I should be to see your sister
if she will condescend to come and see me. Or would it not
be better that I should go over to