, like that of a sick child, and held it trembling towards
him. Then she besought him, with mournful entreaty, to go away, for her
heart had ceased to beat. She wanted time for prayer before the
death-pang came.

There was a depth of despondency in her voice, and an utter hopelessness
of speech that touched every kind feeling in the young man's heart.

"No, Lina, I will not leave you in this unhappy condition," he said;
"your words have shocked me beyond everything; nothing but your own
avowal would have convinced me that one so good as you were, Lina, could
have--have--oh! Lina, Lina, this is terrible."

"I know it," she answered faintly, "I know it, but we must be patient."

"Patient!" exclaimed the young man, "but if I can be nothing else, one
thing is certain, I have the right of a wronged, outraged brother to
protect you, this specious hypocrite shall answer for the ruin he has
brought upon us all!"

Lina started up wildly, "Ralph, Ralph, of whom are you speaking?"

"Of the man who has wronged you, Lina--who has disgraced the name of
Harrington, and who, so help me God! shall yet render you such justice
as the case permits."

Lina gasped for breath, "you know it then--who told you, not my--not
him?"

"No one told me, Lina: he is not so base as to boast of the ruin he has
made; heaven forbid that one who has a drop of my blood in his veins
should sink low enough for that; but the facts, your presence here, this
cruel desertion of your friends, the insane tenacity with which you
cling to this miserable fate--is it not enough?"

"Then he knows nothing--oh! thank God for that," gasped Lina, with a
faint hysterical laugh.

"I know enough to justify me in demanding an explanation, and avenging
you after it is made," said Ralph, sternly.

"No, not that, I charge you, Ralph Harrington, not to ask this
explanation of any one. It will only deepen and widen the ruin that has
so far fallen on me alone--promise me, Ralph, promise me, if you would
not have me die before your eyes!"

CHAPTER LXIX.

AGNES BECOMES PATHETIC.

Ralph took Lina's hand and spoke to her in a sad broken voice, "On one
condition, Lina; go home with me now--my mother will receive you
joyfully. This miserable absence has not been made public. Take back the
protection you have abandoned. I will not ask your confidence, only be
honest and truthful with my mother. She loves you. She is forgiving as
the angels. Her beautiful virtues wil