little you really cared for me, but I was determined it should be the
last. I dare say you've forgotten them! I dare say you don't
remember telling Mamie Morris that you didn't like embroidered cigar-
cases, when you'd just TOLD me that you did, and let me be such a
fool as to commence one for you; but I'm thankful to say THAT went
into the fire,--oh, yes, INSTANTLY! And I dare say you've forgotten
that you didn't tell me your brother's engagement was to be kept, and
let me come out with it that night at the Rudges', and then looked
perfectly aghast, so that everybody thought I had been blabbing!
Time and again, Allen, you have made me suffer agonies, yes, AGONIES;
but your power to do so is at an end. I am free and happy at last."
She weeps bitterly.

MR. RICHARDS, quietly: "Yes, I HAD forgotten those crimes, and I
suppose many similar atrocities. I own it, I AM forgetful and
careless. I was wrong about those things. I ought to have told you
why I said that to Miss Morris: I was afraid she was going to work
me one. As to that accident I told Mrs. Dawes of, it wasn't worth
mentioning. Our boat simply walked over a sloop in the night, and
nobody was hurt. I shouldn't have thought twice about it, if she
hadn't happened to brag of their passing close to an iceberg on their
way home from Europe; then I trotted out MY pretty-near disaster as a
match for hers,--confound her! I wish the iceberg had sunk them!
Only it wouldn't have sunk her,--she's so light; she'd have gone
bobbing about all over the Atlantic Ocean, like a cork; she's got a
perfect life-preserver in that mind of hers." Miss Galbraith gives a
little laugh, and then a little moan. "But since you are happy, I
will not repine, Miss Galbraith. I don't pretend to be very happy
myself, but then, I don't deserve it. Since you are ready to let an
absolutely unconscious offence on my part cancel all the past; since