"  You  have  taught  me  to  depend  on  you  —  to  feel  that
I  need  a  constant  example  before  my  eyes.  In  short,
Miss  Graham,  I  may  as  well  frankly  admit,  what  you
must  already  know,  that  all  my  hopes  for  this  world,  as
well  as  for  another,  are  centred  in  you."

"  I  am  truly  pained  to  hear  it,  and  must  beg  you  to
say  nothing  further  of  this  nature."


220  MARION   GRAHAM  :

"  Your  request  surprises  me.  You  certainly  cannot
have  been  ignorant  of  my  feelings,  and  your  kind  re-
ception of  my  attentions  has  given  me  reason  to  sup-
pose they  were  not  unwelcome.  Such  also  is  the
impression  of  the  whole  community.  For  a  long  timr
I  was  disturbed  with  doubts,  but  of  late  your  treatment
has  made  me  confident  of  having  gained  your  affec-
tions. You  surely  will  not  deny  this,  and  thus  inflict
upon  me  the  most  terrible  disappointment."

"  Of  any  such  feeling  or  impression  on  your  part  I
have  been  entirely  ignorant.  And  I  am  sincerely  dis-
tressed on  account  of  this  misunderstanding."

"  Let  me  tell  you  all  iny  heart"

"At  some  other  time,  —  not  to-night."

"  Yes,  to-night  it  must  be.  I  might  as  well  contend
against  the  north  wind,  as  to  suppress  the  love  which
your  kind  faithfulness  and  interest  have  strengthened
and  encouraged.  You  are  too  generous,  after  inspiring
such  hopes,  to  subject  me  to  the  mortification  of  being
pointed  at  as  one  who  has  been  trifled  with  —  ay,  jilted
by  a  heartless  coquette."

"  Your  words  confound  me,"  said  Marion,  greatly  ag-
itated. "  But  I  must  entreat  you  to  defer  this  conversa-
tion till  another  occasion."

"  Nay,  Miss  Graham,"  replied  he,  throwing  himself  on
his  knees,  and  speaking  with  vehemence.  "  I  must  be
heard  now.  If  you  smile  upon  me,  I  can  be  or  do  any
thing;  if  you  frown,  I  am  a  desperate  man,  and  cannot
answer  for  the  consequences."

"  Be  calm,"  said  Marion,  while  her  cheek  grew  pale;
'•  and  I  will  listen  patiently."

He  detected  her  alarm,  and  it  gave  him  boldness.
