She rose, and quietly wiping her eyes, said--"I will go--we will meet no
more--no more in secret."

"Oh, Jane," said her lover, "how shall I make myself worthy of you;
but why," he added, "should our love be a secret? Surely it will be
sanctioned by our friends. You shall not be distressed by the
necessity of insincerity, although it would be wrong to call the simple
concealment of your love for me by so harsh a name."

"But my papa," she said, "he is so good to me; they are all so
affectionate, they love me too much; but my dear papa, I cannot stand
with a stain on my conscience in his presence. Not that I fear him;
but it would be treacherous and ungrateful: I would tell him all, but I
cannot."

"My sweet girl, let not that distress you. Your father shall be made
acquainted with it from other lips. I will disclose the secret to my
father, and, with a proud heart, tell him of our affection."

It never once occurred to a creature so utterly unacquainted with the
ways of the world as Jane was that Mr. Osburne might disapprove of their
attachment, and prevent a boy so youthful from following the bent of his
own inclinations.

"Dear Charles," said she, smiling, "what a load their approval will
take off my heart. I can then have papa's pardon for my past duplicity
towards him; and my mind will be so much soothed and composed. We can
also meet each other with their sanction."