one on, watching the red
thermometer in Richard's cheek, rising higher and higher, though what I
said was truth, unembellished by imagination. It was what they _who run
might read_. I did not speak of those more subtle traits which, were
invisible to the common eye, those characters which, like invisible
writing, are brought out by a warm and glowing element.

"I am glad to hear you speak so openly in his praise," said Richard,
with a brightening countenance; "even if I deserved such a tribute, I
should not wish to know that you had paid it to me. I would prize more
one silent glance, one conscious blush, than the most labored eulogium
the most eloquent lips could utter."

"But I do praise you very much," I answered; "ask Mrs. Linwood, and
Edith, and Mr. Regulus. Ask Mr. Linwood himself."

"Never speak of me to _him_, Gabriella. Let my feelings be _sacred_, if
they are lonely. You know your power; use it gently, exert it kindly."

The smile of assumed gaiety faded from my lips, as his grave, earnest,
sincere accents went down into my soul. Could I trifle even for a moment
with an affection so true and constant?

Oh, wayward and unappreciating heart! Why could I not return this love,
which might have made me so happy? Why was there no spirit-echo to _his_
voice; no quickened pulsations at the sound of _his_ coming footsteps?

"This is no place, Richard, to talk of ourselves, or I would try to
convince you that I am incapable of speaking lightly of your feelings,
or betraying them to a human being, even to Mrs. Linwood; but let us
speak of something else now. Do you not feel very happy that you are
free,--no more a slave to hours or rules; free to come and go, when and
where you please, with the whole earth to roam in,

"Heart within and God o'erhead?"

"No! I am sad. After being at anchor so long, to be suddenly set
drifting, to be the sport of the winds of destiny, the cable chain of
habit and association broken, one feels dizzy and bewildered. I never
knew till now how strong the classmate bond of union is, how sacred the
brotherhood, how binding the tie. We, who have been treading the same
path for four long years, must now diverge, east, west, north, and
south, the great cardinal points of life. In all human probability we
shall never all meet again, till the mysterious problem of our destiny
is solved."

He paused, impressed by the solemnity of this idea, then added, in his
natural, animated manner.