she became acquainted with a lawyer
who visited frequently at the house; a middle-aged man, and a widower,
who was just then looking out for some one to take care of himself and
his establishment. By one of those unaccountable whims which men
sometimes take, this man (who, from his position and wealth, might have
won the hand of almost any accomplished and dashing young lady of his
acquaintance,) was attracted towards the plain, silent governess, and
he very soon, to the astonishment of all, made proposals to her, which
were accepted.

Soon after their marriage, business made it necessary for Mr. F---- to
go to Europe, and Ruth accompanied him. A sea voyage and two years'
travel abroad entirely restored her health, and with it came, what her
husband had never looked for--_beauty_; while the many opportunities for
improvement and cultivation which she enjoyed, and the good society into
which she was thrown, worked a like marvellous change in her manners.
All her nervous diffidence banished, and in its place she had acquired a
dignified self-possession and grace of manner, which fitted her well for
the station of influence she was to occupy. Soon after her return, her
husband was elected Governor; and the city was already ringing with
praises of the loveliness and affability of the new Governor's wife.

No wonder, then, that as Agnes rose to meet her they stood looking at
each other in silence for a moment; Agnes vainly endeavoring to discover
a trace of Ruth Glenn in the easy and elegant woman before her, and Mrs.
F---- trying to divine who this guest who had called herself an old
friend might be.

For sickness and sorrow had changed Agnes too. Her bright bloom was all
gone; her charming animation of manner had given place to a settled
sadness; and though still most lovely, as she stood in her deep mourning
dress, she was but a wreck of the Agnes Elwyn of former years.

But when after a moment Agnes said, "Ruth, do you not know me?"

The scream of delight with which Ruth opened her arms, and clasped her
to her breast, crying out, "_Agnes Elwyn!_--my dear, dear Agnes!"
convinced her that in heart at least her old school-mate was unchanged.
Ruth immediately took Agnes to her own room, that they might be
undisturbed, for she guessed at once her purpose in coming; and then
Agnes opened to her her burdened heart; relating all her brother's
history; telling her of his naturally strong passions, and saying all
that was ne