"From hearing two persons who were conversing about him make
disparaging remarks, you were led to break off that engagement."

The face of Clara grew still paler, but she continued silent.

"By one of them, I am authorized to tell you that all they said was
in mere jest. They knew you could hear what they said, and made the
remarks purposely for your ear, in order to have a little sport.
They never dreamed of your taking it so seriously."

A deep groan heaved the bosom of Clara; her head fell back, and her
body drooped nervelessly. Mrs. Mears extended her hands quickly and
saved her from falling to the floor.

"This, too, 'for the fun of it!'" she said to herself, bitterly, as
she lifted the inanimate body of the poor girl in her arms, and laid
it upon the sofa.

Without summoning any of the family, Mrs. Mears made use of every
effort in her power to restore the circle of life. In this she was
at last successful. When the mind of Clara had become again active,
and measurably calm, she said to her--

"It was a cruel jest, and the consequences have been most painful.
But I trust it is not yet too late to repair the wrong thus done,
although no compensation can be made for the suffering to which you
have been subjected."

"It is too late, Mrs. Mears--too late!" replied Clara, in a mournful