heart, up to the moment she concluded.
Nothing could so completely overthrow all my hopes as these last few
words. Seeing my silence and my confusion--for I knew not what to say
--she added, in a slightly tremulous voice--

'I am sorry, Mr. Hinton, that my little knowledge of the world should
have led me into this indiscretion. I perceive from your manner that I
have asked a sacrifice you are unwilling to make. I ought to have known
that habits have their influence, as well as inclinations; and that this
house, being the resort of your friends----'

'Oh, how much, how cruelly you have mistaken me! Not on this account,
not for such reasons as you suppose did I hesitate in my reply; far
from it. Indeed, the very cause which made me a frequent visitor of
this house, is that which now renders me unable to answer you.' A slight
flush upon her cheek and a tremulous motion of her lip, prevented my
adding more. 'Fear not, Miss Bellew,' said I, 'fear not from me; however
different the feeling that would prompt it, no speech of mine shall
cause you pain to listen to, however the buried thought may rack my own
bosom. You shall have your request; good-bye.'

'Nay, nay, not so,' said she, as she raised her handkerchief to her
eyes, and gave a soft but sickly smile; 'you mustn't go without my
thanking you for all your kindness. It may so chance that one day or
other you will visit the wild west; if so, pray don't forget that my
father, of whom you have heard me speak so much, would be but too happy
to thank one who has been so kind to his daughter. And, if that
day should come'--here a slight gleam of animation shot across her
features--' I beseech you not to think, from what you will see of
me there, that I have forgotten all your good teaching, and all your
lessons about London manners, though I sadly fear that neither my dress
nor deportment will testify in my favour; and so, good-bye.'

She drew her glove from her hand as she spoke. I raised the taper
fingers, respectfully, to my lips, and, without venturing another look,
muttered 'good-bye,' and left the room.

As step by step I loitered on the stairs, I struggled with myself
against the rising temptation to hurry back to her presence, and tell
her that, although hitherto the fancied security of meeting her every
day had made me a stranger to my own emotions, the hour of parting had
dispelled the illusion; the thought of separation had unveiled the depth
of my heart, and to