to me. Indeed, you
must not refuse."

I said something about leaving my brother, while I expressed my
gratitude for her kindness.

"Mr. Brahan will arrange that," she said; "you may be assured he shall
be cared for. You have not unpacked your trunk; and here is your bonnet
and mantilla ready to be resumed. You did not think I would suffer you
to remain among strangers, when my heart has been yearning to meet you
for weary months?"

With gentle earnestness she overcame all my scruples; and it was but a
little time before I found myself established as a guest in the house
where I first beheld the light of existence. How strange it seemed, that
the children of the two betrayed and injured beings who had been made
exiles from that roof, should be received beneath its shelter after the
lapse of so many years!

Mrs. Brahan accompanied me to the chamber prepared for my reception; and
had I been her own daughter she could not have lavished upon me more
affectionate cares. The picture of my mother, which I had returned when
we left the city, was hanging on the wall; and the eyes and lips of
heavenly sweetness seemed to welcome her sad descendant to the home of
her infancy. As I stood gazing upon it with mingled grief and adoration,
Mrs. Brahan encircled me with her arm, and told me she understood now
the history of that picture, and the mystery of its wonderful
resemblance to me. I had not seen her since the notoriety my name had
acquired, in consequence of the diamonds and my father's arrest; and she
knew me now as the daughter of that unhappy man. Did she know the
circumstances of the discovery of my brother, and my husband's flight? I
dared not ask; but I read so much sympathy and compassion in her
countenance, and so much tenderness in her manners, I thought she had
fathomed the depth of my sorrows.

"You look like a girl of fifteen," she said, passing her fingers through
my carelessly waving locks. "Your hair was very beautiful, but I can
scarcely regret its loss."

"I may look more juvenile,--I believe I do, for every one tells me so;
but the youth and bloom of my heart are gone for ever."

"For ever from the lips of the young, and from those more advanced in
life, mean very different things," answered Mrs. Brahan. "I have no
doubt you have happier hours in store, and you will look back to these
as morning shadows melting off in the brightening sunshine."

"Do you know all that has happened, dear Mrs. Brahan, sin