s was being
revealed to his own heart, which had hardly dared to suspect it before.
He was bewildered by the suddenness with which this subject had been
forced upon him, and for a moment sat like one fascinated, gazing in
pale wonder at the written characters that proved how much he had been
beloved.

"Read on!" said the old man. "It is a book which makes research
pleasant. Read it through, sir, and then, if you can, repeat the
gentlemanly lie which contradicts her own written confession."

James closed the book reverently, and laid it down.

"I have been surprised into reading a few words that should have been
kept sacred--it was not my fault, I was bewildered; but no power on
earth could induce me to open that book again, though I am very certain
nothing can be found in it which an angel need condemn; for, if an
honorable and upright woman lives on earth, it is the lady who bears
your name."

"You dare not read the proofs of her dishonor, and yours!"

"I deny that such proofs exist, or can exist!"

General Harrington opened the book, and glanced at the passage which had
just been read.

"Even here, she confesses her love; you have seen it in her own
handwriting--the whole world shall see not only this passage, but the
whole book. I will scatter its pages broadcast over the country. See,
then, if your denial will shield her from universal scorn."

"You could not do this!"

"I can!"

"She would die under the first bitter sneer."

"Let her die, then! The woman who marries a Harrington, should at least
learn not to commit herself."

James Harrington shrunk back in his seat, appalled by the vision of
humiliation that opened itself before him. He saw Mabel's name bandied
from lip to lip with pity or sneers, by the very society in which she
had been held in so much honor. He saw her reputation, so spotless now,
consigned to a thousand reckless presses, each tearing her secret forth
with its cruel iron fingers, crushing it into some slanderous shape
between its ponderous cylinders, and hurling it, blackened with lies and
coarse jests, scoffingly to the world.

He saw the effect of this murderous publicity upon Mabel herself, when
it should recoil back to her. She, so generous, so kindly, and yet so
proud--how would she endure this outrage upon feelings held secret
almost from her prayers--feelings struggled against and forced back
without a word of utterance, save when they broke forth in the pages of
a jour