poor woman stood side by side in marked
contrast. Charlotte Harman looked proud and cold; in the moment when she
came to plead, she held her head high. Charlotte Home, who was to grant
the boon, came up timidly, almost humbly. She took the hands of this
girl whom she loved, held them firmly, then gathering sudden courage,
there burst from her lips just the last words she had meant at this
moment to say.

"How much I love you! how much I love you!"

As these fervent, passionate words were almost flung at her, Charlotte
Harman's eyes began suddenly to dilate. After a moment she said under
her breath, in a startled kind of whisper?

"You know all?"

"I know everything."

"Then you--you will save my father?"

"Absolutely. You need fear nothing from me or mine; in this we are but
quits. Did not you save Harold?"

"Ah," said Charlotte Harman; she took no notice of her friend and guest,
she sat down on the nearest chair and covered her face. When she raised
her head, Mrs. Home was kneeling by her side.

"Charlotte," said Miss Harman--there was a change in her, the proud look
and bearing were gone--"Charlotte," she said, "you and I are one age,
but you are a mother; may I lay my head on your breast just for a
moment?"

"Lay it there, my darling. As you have got into my heart of hearts, so
would I comfort you."

"Ah, Charlotte, how my heart has beat! but your love is like a cool hand
laid upon it, it is growing quiet."

"Charlotte, you are right in reminding me that I am a mother. I must
treat you as I would my little Daisy. Daisy trusts me absolutely and has
no fear; you must trust me altogether, and fear nothing."

"I do. I fear nothing when I am with you. Charlotte, next Tuesday was to
have been my wedding-day."

"Yes, dear."

"But it is all on an end now; I broke off my engagement yesterday. And
yet, how much I love him! Charlotte, don't look at me so pityingly."

"Was I doing so? I was wondering if you slept last night."

"Slept! No, people don't sleep when their hearts beat as hard as mine
did, but I am better now."

"Then, Charlotte, I must prescribe for you, as a mother. For the next
two hours you are my child and shall obey me; we have a great deal to
say to each other; but first of all, before we say a single word, you
must lie on this sofa, and I will hold your hand. You shall try and
sleep."

"But can you spare the time from your children?"

"You are my child now; as long as you want me I w