fer himself twice over--even to her Lettice.

"Wait this month," she went on, "and we shall see what you think at the
end of it. You are evidently upset now--taken by surprise, little
innocent as you are. The fact is, you have never really recovered from
your illness, and I believe you set to work again too soon. A
hard-working life would not have suited you; but, thank Heaven, there is
an end of that. You will never have to make yourself a slave again!"

"Dear, you do not understand. I did a wicked thing yesterday, and now I
must tell Mr. Dalton, and ask him to forgive me."

"Nonsense, child!"

"Ah!" said Lettice, sadly, "it is the first time you have ever spoken
sharply to me, and that is part of my punishment!"

Mrs. Hartley sank back in her chair, and looked as though she was about
to take refuge in a quiet fit of weeping.

"I can't comprehend it," she said; "I thought we were going to be so
happy; and I am sure you and Brooke would suit each other exactly."

"Oh no, indeed; there are thousands of women who will make him a better
wife than I could ever have done."

"Now, do listen to me, and give yourself at least a week to think it
over, before you say all this to Brooke! That cannot make things worse,
either for him or for yourself. Why should you be so rash about it?"

"I wish I could see any other way out of it--but I cannot; and I have
been thinking and thinking all the night long. It is a case of
conscience with me now."

"You cannot expect me to see it, dear," said Mrs. Hartley, rising from
her chair. "It is simply incomprehensible, that you should first agree
to wait a month, and then, after a few hours, insist on giving such a
pointed refusal. Think, think, my darling!" she went on, laying a
caressing hand on Lettice's shoulder. "Suppose that Brooke should feel
himself insulted by such treatment. Could you be surprised if he did?"

Lettice buried her face in her hands, mutely despairing. Her punishment
was very hard to bear, and the tears which trickled through her fingers
showed how much she felt it. With an effort she controlled herself, and
looked up again.

"I will tell him all," she said. "He shall be the judge. If he still
wishes to renew his question in a month, I will hold myself to that
arrangement. I shall claim nothing and refuse nothing; but if he
voluntarily withdraws his offer, then, dear, you will see that there
could be no alternative."

Mrs. Hartley bent to kiss her.

"I su