d I
feel like a person who is _haunted_. Tell me what you saw when you came
into the parlour just now.'

'Gertrude, dear, I ought not to have come in so suddenly.'

'Yes, 'twas but right--'twas but kind in you, Lily--right and kind--to
treat me like the open-hearted and intimate friend that, Heaven knows, I
was to you, Lily, all my life. I think--at least, I think--till
lately--but you were always franker than I--and truer. You've walked in
the light, Lily, and that's the way to peace. I turned aside, and walked
in mystery; and it seems to me I am treading now the valley of the
shadow of death. Waking and talking, I am, nevertheless, in the solitude
and darkness of the grave. And what did you see, Lily--I know you'll
tell me truly--when you came into the parlour, as I stood by the
window?'

'I saw, I think, the form of a man in a cloak and hat, as I believe,
talking with you in whispers, Gertrude, from without.'

'The form of a man, Lily--you're right--not a man, but the form of a
man,' she continued, bitterly; 'for it seems to me sometimes it can be
no human fascination that has brought me under the tyranny in which I
can scarce be said to breathe.'

After an interval she said--

'It will seem incredible. You've heard of Mr. Dangerfield's proposal,
and you've heard how I've received it. Well, listen.'

'Gertrude, dear!' said Lily, who was growing frightened.

'I'm going,' interrupted Miss Chattesworth, 'to tell you my strange, if
you will, but not guilty--no, _not_ guilty--secret. I'm no agent now,
but simply passive in the matter. But you must first pledge me your
sacred word that neither to my father nor to yours, nor to my aunt, nor
to any living being, will you ever reveal what I am about to tell you,
till I have released you from your promise.'

Did ever woman refuse a secret? Well, Lily wavered for a moment. But
then suddenly stooping down, and kissing her, she said:

'No, Gertrude, darling--you'll not be vexed with me--but you must not
tell me your secret. You have excuses such as I should not have--you've
been drawn into this concealment, step by step, unwillingly; but,
Gertrude, darling, I must not hear it. I could not look Aunt Becky in
the face, nor the kind general, knowing that I was----'

She tried to find a word.

'_Deceiving_ them, Lily,' said Gertrude, with a moan.

'Yes, Gertrude, darling.' And she kissed her again. 'And it might be to
your great hurt. But I thank you all the same from