and
listened to him intently; but here was not the faintest change in his
face or his tones--there was nothing to show outwardly whether he
felt what he said, or whether he did not. His words had painted such a
picture of forlornness on my mind, that I had mechanically half raised
my hand to take his, while he was addressing me; but the sight of him
when he ceased, checked the impulse almost as soon as it was formed.
He did not appear to have noticed either my involuntary gesture, or its
immediate repression; and went on speaking.

"I have said perhaps more than I ought," he resumed. "If I have not
succeeded in making you understand my explanation as I could wish, we
will change the subject, and not return to it again, until you have
known me for a much longer time."

"On no account change the subject, Mr. Mannion," I said; unwilling
to let it be implied that I would not put trust in him. "I am deeply
sensible of the kindness of your offer, and the interest you take in
Margaret and me. We shall both, I am sure, accept your good offices--"

I stopped. The storm had decreased a little in violence: but my
attention was now struck by the wind, which had risen as the thunder and
rain had partially lulled. How drearily it was moaning down the street!
It seemed, at that moment, to be wailing over _me;_ to be wailing over
_him;_ to be wailing over all mortal things! The strange sensations I
then felt, moved me to listen in silence; but I checked them, and spoke
again.

"If I have not answered you as I should," I continued, "you must
attribute it partly to the storm, which I confess rather discomposes
my ideas; and partly to a little surprise--a very foolish surprise, I
own--that you should still be able to feel so strong a sympathy with
interests which are generally only considered of importance to the
young."

"It is only in their sympathies, that men of my years can, and do,
live their youth over again," he said. "You may be surprised to hear a
tradesman's clerk talk in this manner; but I was not always what I am
now. I have gathered knowledge, and suffered in the gathering. I have
grown old before my time--my forty years are like the fifty of other
men--"

My heart beat quicker--was he, unasked, about to disclose the mystery
which evidently hung over his early life? No: he dropped the subject
at once, when he continued. I longed to ask him to resume it, but could
not. I feared the same repulse which Mr. Sherwin had r