o forget the past, and to receive him with
all the external signs of forgetfulness. But, in this she did not
fully succeed, and, of course, the visit of Florence was painfully
embarrassing, at least, to himself. From that time until the arrival
of Miss Weldon, he felt concerned and unhappy. That Mrs. Hartley
would fully communicate or covertly hint to Clara certain events of
his former life, he had too much reason to fear; and, were this
done, he felt that all his fond hopes would be scattered to the
winds. In due time, Miss Weldon arrived. In meeting her, Florence
was conscious of a feeling of embarrassment, never before
experienced in her presence. He understood clearly why this was so.
At each successive visit his embarrassment increased; and, the more
so, from the fact that he perceived a change in Clara ere she had
been in the city a week. As to the cause of this change, he had no
doubts. It was evident that Mrs. Hartley had communicated certain
matters touching his previous history.

Thus it went on day after day, for two or three weeks, by which time
the lovers met under the influence of a most chilling constraint.
Both were exceedingly unhappy.

One day, in calling as usual, Mr. Florence was surprised to learn
that Clara had gone back to Albany.

"She said, nothing of this last night," remarked the young man to
Mrs. Hartley.

"Her resolution was taken after you went away," was replied.

"And you, no doubt, advised the step," said Mr. Florence, with
ill-concealed bitterness.

"Why do you say that?" was quickly asked.

"How can I draw any other inference?" said the young man, looking at
her with knit brows.

"Explain yourself, Mr. Florence!"

"Do my words need explanation?"

"Undoubtedly! For, I cannot understand them."

"There are events in my past life--I will not say how bitterly
repented--of which only you could have informed her."

"What events?" calmly asked the lady.

"Why lacerate my feelings by such a question?" said Florence, while
a shadow of pain flitted over his face, as Memory presented a record
of the past.

"I ask it with no such intention. I only wish to understand you,"
replied Mrs. Hartley. "You have brought against me a vague
accusation. I wish it distinct, that I may affirm or deny it."

"Edith Walter," said Edwin Florence, in a low, unsteady voice, after
he had been silent for nearly a minute.

Mrs. Hartley looked earnestly into his face. Every muscle was
quivering.