r motherly nature. She had turned away forever from all that could
dishonor the lad, or hinder her from receiving his affection without an
upbraiding conscience.

Mr. Belcher's instincts were quick enough to see that his vision had not
prospered in the mind to which he had revealed it; and yet, there was a
hesitation in the manner of the woman before him which he could not
explain to himself, if he admitted that his proposition had been wholly
offensive. Mrs. Dillingham's only wish was to get him out of the house.
If she could accomplish this without further humiliation, it was all she
desired.

"General," she said, at last, "You must have been drinking. I do not
think you know what you have said to me."

"On the contrary, I am perfectly sober," said he, rising and approaching
her.

"You must not come near me. Give me time! give me time!" she exclaimed,
rising and retreating.

Mr. Belcher was startled by the alarmed and angry look in her eyes.
"Time!" he said, fiercely; "Eternity, you mean."

"You pretend to care for me, and yet you disobey what you know to be my
wish. Prove your friendship by leaving me. I wish to be alone."

"Leave you, with not so much as the touch of your hand?" he said.

"Yes."

The General turned on his heel, took up his hat, paused at the door as
if hesitating what to do; then, without a word, he went down stairs and
into the street, overwhelmed with self-pity. He had done so much, risked
so much, and accomplished so little! That she was fond of him there was
no question in his own mind; but women were so different from men! Yet
the villain knew that if she had been easily won his heart would have
turned against her. The prize grew more precious, through the obstacles
that came between him and its winning. The worst was over, at least; she
knew his project; and it would all come right in time!

As soon as he was out of the house, Mrs. Dillingham burst into a fit of
uncontrollable weeping. She had passed through the great humiliation of
her life. The tree which she had planted and nursed through many years
of unworthy aims had borne its natural fruit. She groaned under the
crushing punishment. She almost cursed herself. Her womanly instincts
were quick to apprehend the fact that only by her own consent or
invitation, could any man reach a point so near to any woman that he
could coolly breathe in her ear a base pro position. Yet, with all her
self-loathing and self-condemnation, was mi