nd consider, if it is true, people of very
low birth, till they have lived long with other people, and if they have
no religion, are so very likely to do things. You do not judge them as
you do real gentlemen, and one must not be too harsh--I only wish to
prepare you for the worst.'

A dim form of that very idea had passed through Rose, giving her small
comfort.

'Let him tell you with his own lips that what he has told your mother is
true, and then, and not till then, believe him,' Juliana concluded, and
they kissed kindly, and separated. Rose had suddenly lost her firm step,
but no sooner was Juliana alone than she left the bed, and addressed her
visage to the glass with brightening eyes, as one who saw the glimmer of
young hope therein.

'She love him! Not if he told me so ten thousand times would I believe
it! and before he has said a syllable she doubts him. Asking me in that
frantic way! as if I couldn't see that she wanted me to help her to her
faith in him, as she calls it. Not name his name? Mr. Harrington! I may
call him Evan: some day!'

Half-uttered, half-mused, the unconscious exclamations issued from her,
and for many a weary day since she had dreamed of love, and studied that
which is said to attract the creature, she had not been so glowingly
elated or looked so much farther in the glass than its pale reflection.

CHAPTER XXXVI. BEFORE BREAKFAST

Cold through the night the dark-fringed stream had whispered under
Evan's eyes, and the night breeze voiced 'Fool, fool!' to him, not
without a distant echo in his heart. By symbols and sensations he knew
that Rose was lost to him. There was no moon: the water seemed aimless,
passing on carelessly to oblivion. Now and then, the trees stirred and
talked, or a noise was heard from the pastures. He had slain the life
that lived in them, and the great glory they were to bring forth, and
the end to which all things moved. Had less than the loss of Rose been
involved, the young man might have found himself looking out on a world
beneath notice, and have been sighing for one more worthy of his clouded
excellence but the immense misery present to him in the contemplation of
Rose's sad restrained contempt, saved him from the silly elation which
is the last, and generally successful, struggle of human nature in those
who can so far master it to commit a sacrifice. The loss of that brave
high young soul-Rose, who had lifted him out of the mire with her own
whi