ndulge me this once." He was smiling so gravely, sadly, now, and had
risen and was standing by her as she sat there in the big easy-chair,
still gazing into the fire, but listening for his every word. "In five
long years I have heard no words from a woman's lips that gave me such
joy and comfort as those you spoke so hurriedly and without
premeditation. Only those who know anything of what my past has been
could form any idea of the emotion with which I heard you. If I could
not have seen you to say how--how I thanked you, I would have had to
write. This explains what I said awhile ago: I owe you more pleasure
than I can ever give. But one thing was certain: I could not bear the
idea that you should not be told, and by me, how grateful your words
were to me,--how grateful I was to you. Again, may God bless you!"

And now he turned abruptly away, awaiting no answer, reseated himself at
the piano and retouched the keys. But, though she sat motionless and
speechless, she knew that he had been trembling so violently and that
his hands were still so tremulous he could play no more. It was some
minutes that they sat thus, neither speaking; and as he regained his
self-control and began to attempt some simple little melodies, Mrs.
Waldron returned:

"How very domestic you look, young people! Shall we light the lamps?"

"I've stayed too long already," said Miss Travers, springing to her
feet. "Kate does not know I'm out, and will be wondering what has
become of her sister." She laughed nervously. "Thank you so much for the
music, Mr. Hayne!--Forgive my running off so suddenly; won't you, Mrs.
Waldron?" she asked, pleadingly, as she put her hand in hers; and as her
hostess reassured her she bent and kissed the girl's flushed cheek. Mr.
Hayne was still standing patiently by the centre-table. Once more she
turned, and caught his eye, flushed, half hesitated, then held out her
hand with quick impulse:

"Good-evening, Mr. Hayne. I _shall_ hope to hear you play again."

And, with pulses throbbing, and cheeks that still burned, she ran
quickly down the line to Captain Rayner's quarters, and was up-stairs
and in her room in another minute.

This was an interview she would find it hard to tell to Kate. But told
it was, partially, and she was sitting now, late at night, hearing
through her closed door her sister's unmusical lamentations,--hearing
still ringing in her ears the reproaches heaped upon her when that
sister was quietly t