annot
well understand how any man could help loving her, for she was the
purest, the most lovely character I ever knew."

"She _was_ that character, it is well you say was," answered Agnes, with
a dash of scorn in her voice; "for I am about to offer you proof of what
she is."

Ralph turned white, and recoiled a step back. "Proof--proof, have you
heard something, then?"

"Yes, I have heard from Miss Lina--she has sent for me. A private
message, of which no one is to be informed."

"And, when are you going?--where is she now?" inquired Ralph, in
breathless astonishment.

"Now," answered Agnes. "She has sent a conveyance from the city, which
waits at a curve of the road. I may not return to-night--may never
return. My occupation here is gone, and no one will regret me. I came
unloved, and I go away the stranger I was then!"

It was dark, and Ralph could not see her face distinctly, but the sound
of tears was in her voice.

"Not so--not so!" said he, impetuously. "You will be regretted--we, at
least, are not strangers; I will go with you. If this girl is in the
city, I will convince myself of the fact; then, if your suspicions were
correct, she shall never occupy a thought of mine while I have
existence."

"Go with me if you wish," said Agnes, mournfully; "it will be a few
moments taken from the desolation of life that must follow; after that I
shall be alone."

Ralph scarcely heeded her; a wild desire to see Lina, and convince
himself of her falsehood, drove all other thoughts from his mind; but
the words and voice which bespoke so much tender sorrow, were remembered
afterward.

"Come, let us begone at once," he said, folding his paletot closely, and
drawing her arm through his. "I thank Heaven this suspense will be ended
to-morrow. I shall be a man again."

Agnes leaned heavily on his arm; the deep snow made walking difficult,
and this was her excuse. Ralph only noticed it to lend her assistance;
his thoughts ran wildly toward Lina French, the gentle, kind-hearted
girl who had been so long a portion of his own life, and whose
unworthiness he could not yet wholly realize.

A two-horse sleigh, crowded with buffalo robes, evidently the equipage
of some wealthy establishment, stood on the highway where it swept down
to General Harrington's mansion. Ralph helped his companion in, and they
dashed off noiselessly as lightning, and almost as swift.

No word was spoken between the two during the ride. Agnes shive