faithful witnesses, I might have been
deceived. Do not attempt to conceal from me the truth, to which my own
observation can testify. Treat me with frankness, Willie! Indeed,
indeed, I deserve it at your hands!"

"Frankness, Gertrude! it is you only who are mysterious. Could I lay my
whole soul bare to your gaze, you would be convinced of its truth, its
perfect truth, to its first affection. And as to Isabel Clinton, if it
is to her that you have reference, your eyes and your ears have both
played you false, if----"

"Oh, Willie! Willie!" exclaimed Gertrude, interrupting him; "have you so
soon forgotten your devotion to the belle of Saratoga, your
unwillingness to sanction her temporary absence from your sight, the
pain which the mere suggestion of the journey caused you, and the fond
impatience which threatened to render those few days an eternity?"

"Stop! stop!" cried Willie, a new light breaking in upon him, "and tell
me where you learned all this?"

"In the very spot where you spoke and acted. Mr. Graham's parlour did
not witness our first meeting. In the public promenade-ground, on the
shore of Saratoga lake, and on board the steamboat at Albany, did I both
see and recognize you--myself unknown. There, too, did your own words
serve to convince me of the truth of that which from other lips I had
refused to believe."

"Listen to me, Gertrude," said he, in a fervent and almost solemn tone,
"and believe that in sight of my mother's grave, and in the presence of
that pure spirit (and he looked reverently upward) who taught me the
love of truth, I speak with such sincerity and candour as are fitting
for the ears of angels. I do not question the accuracy with which you
overheard my expostulations and entreaties on the subject of Miss
Clinton's proposed journey, or the impatience I expressed at parting for
her speedy return. I will not pause either to inquire where the object
of all my thoughts could have been at the time that, notwithstanding the
changes of years, she escaped my eager eyes. Let me first clear myself
of the imputation, and then there will be room for all further
explanations.

"I did feel pain at Miss Clinton's sudden departure for New York, under
a pretext which ought not to have weighed with her for a moment. I did
employ every argument to dissuade her from her purpose; and when my
eloquence had failed to induce the abandonment of the scheme, I availed
myself of every suggestion and motive which