trically opposite."

Maitland gave no heed to the irony of her tone, but went on: "If I was
conscious of my own unworthiness, I had certain things in my favor which
served to give me courage,--not the least of these was your brother's
friendship."

"Mark was always proud of being Mr. Maitland's friend," said she, rather
touched by this haughty man's humility.

"That friendship became very precious to me when I knew his sister.
Indeed, from that hour I loved him as a brother."

"Forgive me, sir, if I interrupt you. At the time to which you allude
we would seem to have been living in a perfect realm of misconceptions.
Surely it is not necessary to revive them; surely, now that we
have awoke, we need not take up the clew of a dream to assist our
reflections."

"What may be the misconceptions you refer to?" said he, with a voice
much shaken and agitated.

"One was, it would appear, that Mr. Maitland made me certain
professions. Another, that he was--that he had--that is, that he held--I
cannot say it, sir; and I beg you to spare me what a rash temper might
possibly provoke me to utter."

"Say all that you will; I loved you, Alice."

"You will force me to leave you, sir, if you thus forget yourself."

"I loved you, and I love you still. Do not go, I beg, I implore you.
As the proof of how I love you, I declare that I know all that you have
heard of me, all that you have said of me,--every harsh and cruel word.
Ay, Alice, I have read them as your hand traced them, and through all, I
love you."

"I will not stoop to ask how, sir; but I will say that the avowal has
not raised you in my estimation."

"If I have not your love, I will never ask for your esteem; I wanted
your affection as a man wants that which would make his life a reality.
I could have worked for you; I could have braved scores of things I have
ever shrunk from; and I had a right to it."

"A right!--what right?"

"The right of him who loved as I did, and was as ready to prove his
love. The man who has done what I have is no adventurer, though that
fair hand wrote him one. Remember that, madam; and remember that you are
in a land where men accept no such slights as this you would pass upon
me." His eyes glared with passion as he spoke, and his dark cheeks grew
purple. "You are not without those who must answer for your levity."

"Now, sir, I leave you," said she, rising.

"Not yet. You shall hear me out. I know why you have treated me thus
fals