e a very bad fellow not to go and see them."

"I believe I am a bad fellow," said Harry.

"Sit down, Harry. It will be best to come at the point at once; will it
not? Is there anything wrong between you and Florence?"

"What do you mean by wrong?"

"I should call it very wrong--hideously wrong--if, after all that has
passed between you, there should now be any doubt as to your affection
for each other. If such doubt were now to arise with her, I should
almost disown my sister."

"You will never have to blush for her."

"I think not. I thank God that hitherto there have been no such blushes
among us. And I hope, Harry, that my heart may never have to bleed for
her. Come, Harry, let me tell you all at once like an honest man. I hate
subterfuges and secrets. A report has reached the old people at
home--not Florence, mind--that you are untrue to Florence, and are
passing your time with that lady who is the sister of your cousin's
wife."

"What right have they to ask how I pass my time?"

"Do not be unjust, Harry. If you simply tell me that your visits to that
lady imply no evil to my sister, I, knowing you to be a gentleman, will
take your word for all that it can mean." He paused, and Harry
hesitated, and could not answer. "Nay, dear friend--brother as we both
of us have thought you--come once more to Onslow Crescent and kiss the
bairns, and kiss Cecilia, too, and sit with us at our table, and talk as
you used to do, and I will ask no further question; nor will she. Then
you will come back here to your work, and your trouble will be gone, and
your mind will be at ease; and, Harry, one of the best girls that ever
gave her heart into a man's keeping will be there to worship you, and to
swear when your back is turned that any one who says a word against you
shall be no brother, and no sister, and no friend of hers."

And this was the man who had dusted his boots with his
pocket-handkerchief and whom Harry had regarded as being, on that
account, hardly fit to be his friend! He knew that the man was noble,
and good, and generous, and true; and knew also that in all that Burton
said he simply did his duty as a brother. But not on that account was it
the easier for him to reply.

"Say that you will come to us this evening," said Burton. "Even if you
have an engagement, put it off."

"I have none," said Harry.

"Then say that you will come to us, and all will be well."

Harry understood of course that his complianc