"Have I offended you?" he asked, as she declined taking his offered
hand.

"Yes," was the firm reply, while the young lady assumed a dignified
air.

"In what?" asked Florence.

"In proving false to her in whose ears you first breathed words of
affection."

The young man started as if stung by a serpent.

"The man," resumed Miss Linmore, "who has been false to Edith
Walter, never can be true to me. I wouldn't have the affection that
could turn from one like her. I hold it to be light as the
thistle-down. Go! heal the heart you have almost broken, if,
perchance, it be not yet too late. As for me, think of me as if we
had all our lives been strangers--such, henceforth, we must ever
remain."

And saying this, Catharine Linmore turned from the rebuked and
astonished young man, and left the room. He immediately retired.






CHAPTER II.