her head. Then the seal was broken, and in one minute
the two women were crying in each other's arms. "I was quite sure of
it," said Cecilia, through her tears--"perfectly sure. I never doubted
it for a moment. How could you have talked of going to Stratton?" At
last Florence got herself away up to the window, and gradually mustered
courage to break the envelope of her lover's letter. It was not at once
that she showed the postscript to Cecilia, nor at once that the packet
was opened. That last ceremony she did perform in the solitude of her
own room. But before the day was over the postscript had been shown, and
the added trinket had been exhibited. "I remember it well," said
Florence. "Mrs. Clavering wore it on her forehead when we dined at Lady
Clavering's." Mrs. Burton in all this saw something of the gentle
persuasion which the mother had used, but of that she said nothing. That
he should be back again, and should have repented, was enough for her.

Mr. Burton was again absent when Harry Clavering knocked in person at
the door, but on this occasion his absence had been specially arranged
by him with a view to Harry's comfort. "He won't want to see me this
evening," he had said. "Indeed, you'll all get along a great deal better
without me." He therefore had remained away from home, and, not being a
club man, had dined most uncomfortably at an eating-house. "Are the
ladies at home?" Harry asked, when the door was opened. Oh yes, they
were at home. There was no danger that they should be found out on such
an occasion as this. The girl looked at him pleasantly, calling him by
his name as she answered him, as though she too desired to show him that
he had again been taken into favor--into her favor as well as that of
her mistress.

He hardly knew what he was doing as he ran up the steps to the
drawing-room. He was afraid of what was to come, but nevertheless he
rushed at his fate as some young soldier rushes at the trench in which
he feels that he may probably fall. So Harry Clavering hurried on, and
before he had looked round upon the room which he had entered, found his
fate with Florence on his bosom.

Alas! alas! I fear that justice was outraged in the welcome that Harry
received on that evening. I have said that he would be called upon to
own his sins, and so much, at least, should have been required of him.
But he owned no sin. I have said that a certain degradation must attend
him in that first interview after