ession, will you let me have one of
_yours?_" said he, in a low, soft voice.

"I'm not sure; what's it to be about?"

"It's about myself I want to question you."

"About yourself! Surely you could not have hit upon a sorrier adviser,
or a less experienced counsellor than I am."

"I don't want advice, Florence, I only want a fact; and from all I have
seen of you, I believe you will deal fairly with me."

She nodded assent, and he went on:

"In a few weeks more I shall be obliged to return to India; to a land I
dislike, and a service I detest: to live amongst companions distasteful
to me, and amidst habits and associations that, however endurable when I
knew no better, are now become positively odious in my eyes. This is my
road to rank, station, and honour. There is, however, another path;
and if I relinquish this career, and give up all thought of ambition, I
might remain in Europe--here, perhaps, on this very lake side--and
lead a life of humble but unbroken happiness--one of those peaceful
existences which poets dream of, but never realise, because it is no
use in disparaging the cup of life till one has tasted and known its
bitterness; and these men have not reached such experience--_I_ have."

He waited for her to speak--he looked eagerly at her for a word--but she
was silent.

"The confession I want from you, Florence, is this: could you agree to
share this life with me?"

She shook her head and muttered, but what he could not catch.

"It would be too dreary, too sad-coloured, you think?"

"No," said she, "not that."

"You fear, perhaps, that these schemes of isolation have never
succeeded: that weariness will come when there are no longer new objects
to suggest interest or employment?"

"Not that," said she, more faintly.

"Then the objection must be myself. Florence, is it that you would, not,
that you could not, trust me with your happiness?"

"You ask for frankness, and you shall have it. I cannot except your
offer. My heart is no longer mine to give."

"And this--this engagement, has been for some time back?" asked he,
almost sternly.

"Yes, for some time," said she, faintly.

"Am I acquainted with the object of it? Perhaps I have no right to ask
this. But there is a question I have full and perfect right to ask. How,
consistently with such an engagement, have you encouraged the attentions
I have paid you?"

"Attentions! and to me! Why, your attentions have been directed rather
to my s