forgotten what I have heard you previously utter. I was thinking only of
the present. Forgive me, Edith, for being so thoughtless and impulsive;
for being so selfish myself."

"I am wrong," said Edith, ingenuously. "I suppose conscience applied the
words. Brother, you, who are the cause of the offence, must make my
peace."

"It is already made," answered I, holding out my hand to meet hers; "if
you acquit me of intentional wrong, I ask no more."

As our hands united before him, he clasped them both in one of his own.

"A triune band," said he, earnestly, "that never must be broken. Edith,
Gabriella, remember this. Love each other now, love each other forever,
even as I love ye both."

I was sensitive and childish from recent indisposition, or I should have
had more self-control. I could not prevent the tears from rushing to my
eyes and stealing down my cheeks. As we were sitting by ourselves, in a
part of the room less brilliantly lighted than the rest, and as we all
conversed in a low voice, this little scene was not conspicuous, though
it might have possibly been observed.

Those in the front room seemed exceedingly merry. Madge had placed a
table before herself and Mr. Regulus, in imitation of Ernest, and had
piled his plate with quantities of cake, as high as a pyramid. A gay
group surrounded the table, that seemed floating on a tide of laughter;
or rather making an eddy, in 'which their spirits were whirling.'

As soon as supper was over, she told Mr. Regulus to lead her to the
piano, as she was literally dying to play. There was no instrument at
Dr. Harlowe's but a jew's-harp, and the tongue of that was broken. As
she seated herself at the piano, Mr. Regulus reached forward and took up
a violin which was lying upon it.

"Do you play?" she asked eagerly.

"I used to play a good deal when a boy, but that was a long time ago,"
he answered, drawing the bow across the strings with no unskilful hand.

"Delightful, charming!" she exclaimed. "Can you play '_Come, haste to
the wedding_?'"

He replied by giving the inspiring air, which she accompanied in her
wild, exciting manner, laughing and shaking her head with irrepressible
glee. I was astonished to see my dignified tutor thus lending himself
for the amusement of the evening. I should have thought as soon of
Jupiter playing a dancing tune, as Mr. Regulus. But he not only played
well, he seemed to enjoy it. I was prepared now, to see him on the floor
danc