ou tell me nothing."

"What can I tell you except that your flight has filled the whole
household with grief and consternation."

"I knew it--I was sure they would feel the gloom, but that was better
than remaining a curse and a shame to them all, you know."

"A curse and a shame, Miss French!" said Agnes, with dignity; "these are
harsh words applied to one's-self. I hope you do not deserve them."

"Did I say shame?" cried Lina, starting up in affright; "well, well, if
I did, it cannot reach him or wound poor mamma; as for me, why, it is
not much matter, you know; the world does not care what becomes of a
poor little girl like me."

A shade of compassion stole over Agnes Barker's face. She took Lina's
hand in hers, and pressed it softly to her lips.

"You look grieved. I hope it is for me," said the gentle girl, and her
eyes filled with tears. "It won't hurt you or any one to be sorry for a
poor child who is so very, very miserable."

Ralph would endure this touching scene no longer; he started up and
rushed towards the bed, with both trembling hands extended, and his
chest heaving with emotion.

"Lina, Lina!" he cried, falling on his knees by the bed. "Stop, Lina,
you are killing me--oh, girl, girl, what had I done that you should
bring this ruin on us both?"

Lina uttered a wild cry at his approach, half rose in the bed with her
arms outstretched, and flung herself upon his bosom, covering his hands,
his face and his hair with kisses, then as if struck to the soul with a
sudden memory, her arms fell away, her lips grew deadly white, and she
sunk back to the pillows, shuddering from head to foot.

"Lina, Lina, say that you love me yet--in the name of heaven tell me
what this means--never before have you seemed to love me entirely, and
now"----

"Now," she said, rising feebly to a sitting posture, "now sweep those
kisses away, sweep them utterly away, I charge you--there is shame and
sin in every one; would that my lips had been withered before they gave
such kisses, and to you, Ralph Harrington!"

"Lina, Lina French, is this real?" cried the young man, rising slowly to
his feet, pale as death, but checking the tears that had at first rushed
tenderly to his eyes. "May the God of heaven forgive you and help me,
for I had rather die than meet the pang of this moment."

"I know, I know it is dreadful--see what it has done!"

She lifted up her pale hand that had fallen away till it looked almost
transparent