faint, and some beneficent inspiration prompted me to call. I went in,
and found that the younger of the two sisters was out. A sudden
tendency to hysterics overcame me, and I asked for a glass of water.
Miss Arbour, having given it to me, sat down by the side of the
fireplace opposite to the one at which I was sitting, and for a few
moments there was silence. I made some commonplace observation, but
instead of answering me she said quietly, "Mr. Rutherford, you have
been upset; I hope you have met with no accident."

How it came about I do not know, but my whole story rushed to my lips,
and I told her all of it with quivering voice. I cannot imagine what
possessed me to make her my confidante. Shy, reserved, and proud, I
would have died rather than have breathed a syllable of my secret if I
had been in my ordinary humour, but her soft, sweet face altogether
overpowered me.

As I proceeded with my tale, the change that came over her was most
remarkable. When I began she was leaning back placidly in her large
chair, with her handkerchief upon her lap; but gradually her face
kindled, she sat upright, and she was transformed with a completeness
and suddenness which I could not have conceived possible. At last,
when I had finished, she put both her hands to her forehead, and almost
shrieked out, "Shall I tell him?--O my God, shall I tell him?--may God
have mercy on him!" I was amazed beyond measure at the altogether
unsuspected depth of passion which was revealed in her whom I had never
before seen disturbed by more than a ripple of emotion. She drew her
chair nearer to mine, put both her hands on my knees, looked right into
my eyes, and said, "Listen." She then moved back a little, and spoke
as follows: