and evidently not above making mischief, I do not know
as we have any special reason to doubt his word."

Cicely's eyes fell and she stood before her father with an air of
indecision. "I do not think it was Bertram," she faltered, but said no
more.

"I would to God for your sake, it was not!" he exclaimed. "But this
communication together with the loss we have sustained at the bank, has
shaken my faith, Cicely. Young men are so easily led astray nowadays;
especially when playing for high stakes. A man who could leave his
profession for the sake of winning a great heiress--"

"Father!"

"I know he has made you think it was for love; but when the woman whom a
young man fancies, is rich, love and ambition run too closely together
to be easily disentangled. And now, my dear, I have said my say and
leave you to act according to the dictates of your judgment, sure that
it will be in a direction worthy of your name and breeding." And
stooping for a hasty kiss, he gave her a last fond look and quietly left
the room.

And Cicely? For a moment she stood as if frozen in her place, then a
great tremble seized her, and sinking down upon a sofa, she buried her
face from sight, in a chaos of feeling that left her scarcely mistress
of herself. But suddenly she started up, her face flushed, her eyes
gleaming, her whole delicate form quivering with an emotion more akin to
hope than despair.

"I cannot doubt him," she whispered; "it were as easy to doubt my own
soul. He is worthy if I am worthy, true if I am true; and I will not try
to unlove him!"

But soon the reaction came again, and she was about to give full sway to
her grief and shame, when the parlor door opened--she herself was
sitting in the extension room--and she saw Mr. Sylvester and Paula come
in. She at once rose to her feet; but she did not advance. A thousand
hopes and fears held her enchained where she was; besides there was
something in the aspect of her friends, which made her feel as though a
welcome even from her, would at that moment be an intrusion.

"They have come to see father," she thought "and--"

Ah what, Cicely?

Paula, who was too absorbed in her own feelings to glance into the
extension room beyond, approached Mr. Sylvester and laid her hand upon
his arm. "Whatever comes," said she, "truth, honor and love remain."

And he bowed his head and seemed to kiss her hand, and Cicely observing
the action, grew pale and dropped her eyes, realizing as