il," she resumed, warming her foot carelessly at the fender,
"all the money in the world will be of no use to me. Never mind
why--never mind Me--think of yourself. I won't take advantage of the
confession you have made to me; I won't influence you against your will.
Do as you yourself think best. But remember one thing--my mind is made
up; nothing you can say or do will change it."

Her sudden removal from the table, the altered tones of her voice as she
spoke the last words, appeared to renew Louisa's hesitation. She clasped
her hands together in her lap, and wrung them hard. "This has come on me
very suddenly, ma'am," said the girl. "I am sorely tempted to say Yes;
and yet I am almost afraid--"

"Take the night to consider it," interposed Magdalen, keeping her face
persistently turned toward the fire; "and tell me what you have decided
to do, when you come into my room to-morrow morning. I shall want no
help to-night--I can undress myself. You are not so strong as I am; you
are tired, I dare say. Don't sit up on my account. Good-night, Louisa,
and pleasant dreams!"

Her voice sank lower and lower as she spoke those kind words. She sighed
heavily, and, leaning her arm on the mantel-piece, laid her head on
it with a reckless weariness miserable to see. Louisa had not left the
room, as she supposed--Louisa came softly to her side, and kissed her
hand. Magdalen started; but she made no attempt, this time, to draw her
hand away. The sense of her own horrible isolation subdued her, at the
touch of the servant's lips. Her proud heart melted; her eyes filled
with burning tears. "Don't distress me!" she said, faintly. "The time
for kindness has gone by; it only overpowers me now. Good-night!"

When the morning came, the affirmative answer which Magdalen had
anticipated was the answer given.

On that day the landlady received her week's notice to quit, and
Louisa's needle flew fast through the stitches of the parlor-maid's
dress.

THE END OF THE SIXTH SCENE.

BETWEEN THE SCENES.

PROGRESS OF THE STORY THROUGH THE POST.

I.

_From Miss Garth to Mr. Pendril._

"Westmoreland House, January 3d, 1848.

"DEAR MR. PENDRIL--I write, as you kindly requested, to report how Norah
is going on, and to tell you what changes I see for the better in the
state of her mind on the subject of her sister.

"I cannot say that she is becoming resigned to Magdalen's continued
silence--I know her faithful nature too well to say