as she done for you, that
for her you should throw aside such a one as our Florence? Is she noble,
and good, and pure and spotless as Florence is? Will she love you with
such love as Florence's? Will she believe in you as Florence believes?
Yes, Harry, she believes yet. She knows nothing of this, and shall know
nothing, if you will only say that you will be true. No one shall know,
and I will remember it only to remember your goodness afterward. Think
of it, Harry; there can be no falseness to one who has been so false to
you. Harry, you will not destroy us all at one blow?"

Never before was man so supplicated to take into his arms youth and
beauty and feminine purity! And in truth he would have yielded, as
indeed, what man would not have yielded--had not Mrs. Burton been
interrupted in her prayers. The step of her husband was heard upon the
stairs, and she, rising from her knees, whispered quickly, "Do not tell
him that it is settled. Let me tell him when you are gone."

"You two have been a long time together," said Theodore, as he came in.

"Why did you leave us, then, so long?" said Mrs. Burton, trying to
smile, though the signs of tears were, as she well knew, plain enough.

"I thought you would have sent for me."

"Burton," said Harry, "I take it kindly of you that you allowed me to
see your wife alone."

"Women always understand these things best," said he.

"And you will come again to-morrow, Harry, and answer me my question?"

"Not to--morrow."

"Florence will be here on Monday."

"And why should he not come when Florence is here?" asked Theodore in an
angry tone.

"Of course he will come, but I want to see him again first. Do I not,
Harry?"

"I hate mysteries," said Burton.

"There shall be no mystery," said his wife. "Why did you send him to me,
but that there are some things difficult to discuss among three? Will
you come to-morrow, Harry?"

"Not to-morrow; but I will write to-morrow--early to-morrow. I will go
now, and, of course, you will tell Burton everything that I have said.
Goodnight." They both took his hand, and Cecilia pressed it as she
looked with beseeching eyes into his face. What would she not have done
to secure the happiness of the sister whom she loved? On this occasion
she had descended low that she might do much.

Chapter XXXIII

How Damon Parted From Pythias

Lady Ongar, when she left Count Pateroff at the little fort on the cliff
and entered by herself th