"Yes, that she did a couple of days ago; but now that Bella is so much
better,--so nearly well, I may say,--I think she means to keep him, and
you too, Tony, if you will so far favor us."

"I cannot,--it is impossible."

"I had hoped, Tony," said she, with a malicious sparkle in her eyes,
"that it was only against Lyle Abbey you bore a grudge, and not against
every house where I should happen to be a visitor."

"Alice, Alice!" said he, with trembling lips, "surely this is not fair."

"If it be true, is the question; and until you have told me why you
ceased to come to us,--why you gave up those who always liked you,--I
must, I cannot help believing it to be true."

Tony was silent: his heart swelled up as if it would burst his chest;
but he struggled manfully, and hid his emotion.

"I conclude," said she, sharply, "it was not a mere caprice which made
you throw us off. You had a reason, or something that you fancied was a
reason."

"It is only fair to suppose so," said he, gravely.

"Well, I 'll give you the benefit of that supposition; and I ask you, as
a matter of right, to give me your reason."

"I cannot, Alice,--I cannot," stammered he out, while a deadly paleness
spread over his face.

"Tony," said she, gravely, "if you were a man of the world like your
friend Mr. Darner, for instance, I would probably say that in a matter
of this kind you ought to be left to your own judgment; but you are
not. You are a kind-hearted simple-minded boy. Nay, don't blush and look
offended; I never meant to offend you. Don't you know that?" and she
held out to him her fair white hand, the taper fingers trembling with
a slight emotion. Tony stooped and kissed it with a rapturous devotion.
"There, I did not mean that, Master Tony," said she, blushing; "I never
intended your offence was to be condoned; I only thought of a free
pardon."

"Then give it to me, Alice," said he, gulping down his emotion; "for I
am going away, and who knows when I shall see you again?"

"Indeed," said she, with a look of agitation; "have you reconsidered it,
then? have you resolved to join Maitland?"

"And were you told of this, Alice?"

"Yes, Tony: as one who feels a very deep interest in you, I came to hear
it; but, indeed, partly by an accident."

"Will you tell me what it was you heard?" said he, gravely; "for I am
curious to hear whether you know more than myself."

"You were to go abroad with Maitland,--you were to travel on the