is embarrassment in her
presence was never more complete, and he betrayed the secret that
was in his heart even while he felt the most earnest to conceal it.
Conscious of this, he excused himself and retired as soon as it was
possible to do so.

Kate sat thoughtful for some time after he had left. Then rising up,
she went, with a firm step to her father's room.

"I have found out," she said, speaking with great self-composure,
"the reason why Edwin persists in going away."

"Ah! what is the reason, Kate? I would give much to know."

"He is in love," replied Kate, promptly.

"In love! How do you know that?"

"I made the discovery to-night."

"Love should keep him at home, not drive him away," said Mr.
Darlington.

"But he loves hopelessly," returned the maiden. "He is poor, and the
object of his regard belongs to a wealthy family."

"And her friends will have nothing to do with him."

"I am not so sure of that. But he formed an acquaintance with the
young lady under circumstances that would make it mean, in his eyes,
to urge any claims upon her regard."

"Then honor as well as love takes him away."

"Honor in fact; not love. Love would make him stay," replied the
maiden with a sparkling eye, and something of proud elevation in the
tones of her voice.

A faint suspicion of the truth now came stealing on the mind of Mr.
Darlington.

"Does the lady know of his preference for her?" he asked.

"Not through any word or act of his, designed to communicate a
knowledge of the fact," replied Kate, her eyes falling under the
earnest look bent upon her by Mr. Darlington.

"Has he made you his confidante?"

"No, sir. I doubt if the secret has ever passed his lips." Kate's
face was beginning to crimson, but she drove back the tell-tale
blood with a strong effort of the will.

"Then how came you possessed of it," inquired the father.

The blood came back to her face with a rush, and she bent her head
so that her dark glossy curls fell over and partly concealed it. In
a moment or two she had regained her self-possession, and looking up
she answered,

"Secrets like this do not always need oral or written language to
make them known. Enough, father, that I have discovered the fact
that his heart is deeply imbued with a passion for one who knows
well his virtues--his pure, true heart--his manly sense of honor;
with a passion for one who has looked upon him till now as a
brother, but who henceforth must regard hi