only of the words—the startling words—which
had just fallen from his lips. He would do it
to-day! He had said, in a tone of terrible
resolution, he would do it to-day. What, oh what,
would he do! Something even more deplorably
unworthy of him than what he had done already?
Would he apostatise from the faith?
Would he abandon us at the Mothers' Small-Clothes?
Had we seen the last of his angelic
smile in the committee-room? Had we heard
the last of his unrivalled eloquence at Exeter
Hall? I was so wrought up by the bare idea of
such awful eventualities as these, in connexion
with such a man, that I believe I should have
rushed from my place of concealment, and
implored him in the name of all the Ladies'
Committees in London to explain himself—
when I suddenly heard another voice in the
room. It penetrated through the curtains; it
was loud, it was bold, it was wanting in every
female charm. The voice of Rachel Verinder!

"Why have vou come up here, Godfrey?"
she asked. "Why didn't you go into the
library?"

He laughed softly, and answered, "Miss
Clack is in the library."

"Clack in the library!" She instantly seated
herself on the ottoman in the back drawing-room.
"You are quite right, Godfrey. We
had much better stop here."

I had been in a burning fever, a moment
since, and in some doubt what to do next. I became
extremely cold now, and felt no doubt
whatever. To show myself, after what I had
heard, was impossible. To retreat—except into
the fireplace—was equally out of the question.
A martyrdom was before me. In justice to
myself, I noiselessly arranged the curtains so
that I could both see and hear. And then I
met my martyrdom, in the spirit of a primitive
Christian.

"Don't sit on the ottoman," the young lady
proceeded. "Bring a chair, Godfrey. I like
people to be opposite to me when I talk to
them."

He took the nearest seat. It was a low
chair. He was very tall, and many sizes too
large for it. I never saw his legs to such
disadvantage before.

"Well?" she went on. " What did you say
to them?"

"Just what you said, dear Rachel, to me."

"That mamma was not at all well to-day?
And that I didn't quite like leaving her to go
to the concert?"

"Those were the words. They were grieved
to lose you at the concert, but they quite
understood. All sent their love; and all
expressed a cheering belief that Lady Verinder's
indisposition would soon pass away."

"You don't think it's serious, do you, Godfrey?"

"Far from it! In a few days, I feel quite
sure, all will be well again."

"I think so, too. I was a little frightened at
first, but I think so too. It was very kind to
go and make my excuses for me to people who
are almost strangers to you. But, why not
have gone with them to the concert? It seems
very hard that you should miss the music, too."

"Don't say that, Rachel! If you only knew
how much happier I am—here, with you!"

He clasped his hands, and looked at her. In
the position which he occupied, when he did
that, he turned my way. Can words describe
how I sickened when I noticed exactly the same
pathetic expression on his face, which had
charmed me when he was pleading for destitute
millions of his fellow-creatures on the platform
at Exeter Hall!

"It's hard to get over one's bad habits,
Godfrey. But do try to get over the habit of paying
compliments—do to please me."

"I never paid you a compliment, Rachel, in
my life. Successful love may sometimes use
the language of flattery, I admit. But hopeless
love, dearest, always speaks the truth."

He drew his chair close, and took her hand,
when he said "hopeless love." There was a
momentary silence. He, who thrilled everybody,
had doubtless thrilled her. I thought I
now understood the words which had dropped
from him when he was alone in the drawing-room.
"I'll do it to-day." Alas! the most
rigid propriety could hardly have failed to
discover that he was doing it now.

"Have you forgotten what we agreed on,
Godfrey, when you spoke to me in the country?
We agreed that we were to be cousins, and
nothing more."

"I break the agreement, Rachel, every time
I see you."

"Then don't see me."

"Quite useless! I break the agreement every
time I think of you. Oh, Rachel! how kindly
you told me, only the other day, that my place
in your estimation was a higher place than it
had ever been yet! Am I mad to build the
hopes I do on those dear words? Am I mad to
dream of some future day when your heart may
soften to me? Don't tell me so, if I am!
Leave me my delusion, dearest! I must have
that to cherish, and to comfort me, if I have
nothing else!"

His voice trembled, and he put his white
handkerchief to his eyes. Exeter Hall again!
Nothing wanting to complete the parallel but
the audience, the cheers, and the glass of
water.

Even her obdurate nature was touched. I
saw her lean a little nearer to him. I heard a
new tone of interest in her next words.

"Are you really sure, Godfrey, that you are
so fond of me as that?"

"Sure! You know what I was, Rachel. Let
me tell you what I am. I have lost every interest
in life, but my interest in you. A transformation
has come over me which I can't
account for, myself. Would you believe it?
My charitable business is an unendurable
nuisance to me; and when I see a Ladies'
Committee now, I wish myself at the uttermost ends
of the earth!"

If the annals of apostacy offer anything