f I am unworthy, how can you expect confidence
from me? Think you I will change the code which you just now
pronounced too lax? Oh! you know not what you have done. It is no
light thing to tell a woman of my nature she is unworthy of the love
she prized above every earthly thing!" Her voice, despite her efforts,
faltered.

"Florence, I have been too severe in my language, and you too proud
and haughty. Full well we know that without the love of each other
life would be joyless to both. Ours is not a common love; and again I
say, let us forget the past, while, in future, need I ask you to keep
nothing from me?"

He drew her to him as he spoke, and passing his arm round her, pressed
her to his heart. A long time Florence hid her head on his shoulder,
as if struggling with her emotion, and then a heavy sob relieved her
troubled heart. Closer he clasped her to him, and, laying his cheek on
hers, murmured:

"My own darling Florence, forgive me, if I misjudged you; tell me
that you will not remember my words--that this hour shall be to us a
painful dream,"

She withdrew from his embrace, and, lifting her head, replied:

"I was wrong to doubt your love, or believe that you would think long
of my weakness; but I am innocent of the charge of dissimulation, and
never let us recur to the past"

She held out her hand, and clasping it in his, Mr. Stewart led her
away.

An hour later Mary lay with closed eyes, too weary, from
overexcitement, even to look about her. All had left the room, and a
dim light from the hearth just faintly lighted the large, comfortless
apartment. With noiseless step Dr. Bryant entered, and seating himself
in the vacant chair, near Mary's sofa, bent forward that he might
look on the wan face of the sufferer. His heart ached as he noted the
painful alteration of the last week, and gently and softly he took one
of the thin white hands between his own. It was cold and damp, and,
while he pressed it, the dark blue eyes rested earnestly on his face.

"I hoped you were sleeping, did I wake you?" and he laid the hand
back, as she strove to withdraw it.

"No, I have not slept since morning."

"Oh! I am troubled at your constant suffering; is there anything I can
do for you?"

"No, thank you, Doctor, I wish nothing."

"All my arrangements are completed, and to-morrow I return to your
home. Can I deliver any message, or execute any commission?"

For a moment, Mary closed her eyes, then replied in a l