I rely upon
you?"

"Always."

"That is enough."

And with just a final look, the two gentlemen parted, and the shadow
which had rested all day upon the bank, deepened over Bertram's head
like a pall.

It was not lifted by the sight of Hopgood stealing a few minutes later
towards the door by which his uncle had departed, his face pale, and his
eyes fixed in a stare, that bespoke some deep and moving determination.

XXXVIII.

BLUE-BEARD'S CHAMBER.

"Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings."
--MACBETH.

Clarence Ensign was not surprised at the refusal he received from Paula.
He had realized from the first that the love of this beautiful woman
would be difficult to obtain, even if no rival with more powerful
inducements than his own, should chance to cross his path. She was one
who could be won to give friendship, consideration, and sympathy without
stint; but from the very fact that she could so easily be induced to
grant these, he foresaw the improbability, or at least the difficulty of
enticing her to yield more. A woman whose hand warms towards the other
sex in ready friendship, is the last to succumb to the entreaties of
love. The circle of her sympathies is so large, the man must do well,
who of all his sex, pierces to the sacred centre. The appearance of Mr.
Sylvester on the scene, settled his fate, or so he believed; but he was
too much in earnest to yield his hopes without another effort; so upon
the afternoon of this eventful day, he called upon Paula.

The first glimpse he obtained of her countenance, convinced him that he
was indeed too late. Not for him that anxious pallor, giving way to a
rosy tinge at the least sound in the streets without. Not for him that
wandering glance, burning with questions to which nothing seemed able to
grant reply. The very smile with which she greeted him, was a blow; it
was so forgetful of the motive that had brought him there.

"Miss Fairchild," he stammered, with a generous impulse to save her
unnecessary pain, "you have rejected my offer and settled my doom; but
let me believe that I have not lost your regard, or that hold upon your
friendship which it has hitherto been my pleasure to enjoy."

She woke at once to a realization of his position. "Oh Mr. Ensign," she
murmured, "can you doubt my regard or the truth of my friendship? It is
for me to doubt; I have caused you such pain, and as you may think, so
ruthlessly and