s, but she shed no tears, and her look was rather
one of affright than of the intense grief which had overpowered her
while in the presence of General Harrington.

At that moment there was a hurried tread upon the staircase. Every pulse
in Lina's heart throbbed wildly, and she sat leaning eagerly forward
with a half-expectant, half-frightened air, as the steps paused before
her door. A low, quick knock caused her to start from the floor. She
looked wildly round, as if seeking some means of escape, then sunk
against the wall, while her whole frame trembled with agitation. The
knock was repeated, and she covered her face with her hands, uttering a
low, shuddering moan. A third time that impatient summons shook her form
as with a convulsion, and when a voice, whose lightest tone possessed
the power to move her inmost soul, reached her ear in an eager whisper,
she rose again and stood upright, transfixed by that voice, which had
never before met her ear without filling her whole being with gentle
pleasure.

"Lina--Lina--are you there?"

It was Ralph who spoke. Lina gasped for breath and wrung her hands
desperately, like one who entreats for mercy, and feels that it is all
in vain.

"Lina, answer me--are you there?"

"I am here," she replied, in a low, unnatural tone.

"Open the door, Lina--I want to speak to you."

"Ralph, I cannot!"

"Cannot! What ails you, Lina? _Do_ open the door. Let me speak to you
for a moment."

She staggered feebly to the door, then with a quick motion, the hurried
resolve of which was strangely at variance with her previous hesitation,
flung it open, and stood before the young man.

"Why, Lina, have you forgotten your promise?" he began eagerly; then,
checked himself, as he raised his eyes to her face, and marked the
wildness of her glance, and ghastly pallor of her cheek. "Lina, what is
the matter? Are you ill? Tell me, Lina, what ails you?" He took her
hands in his, with a manner in which the impetuosity of a youthful
lover, and the kind, protecting air of a brother, were strangely
mingled.

"Answer me, Lina, my own Lina."

But Lina had no words; when her eyes met his, the tears which during her
lonely vigil had refused to flow, burst forth, and she buried her head
in her hands, sobbing like a frightened child. Ralph folded his arms
about her, and drew her back into the chamber, gathering her closely to
his heart, as if to reassure her by his protecting presence. He did not
quest