"But my dear," answered Frederic, "there is not time;" looking at
his watch.

"Just a moment," persisted Ellen, "I will hurry. I promised Aunt
Mary; she is sick and cannot leave her room."

And, as Frederic answered not, and as Ellen's eyes were brimful of
tears, she could but half see the impatience expressed on his
countenance, and hastily departed.

But, Aunt Mary had innumerable kisses to bestow upon her favourite,
and many words and wishes to utter, brokenly, in a voice choked with
tears; and it was many minutes ere she could tear herself away, and
on her return she met several loiterers from the church, who stopped
her to look, as they said, upon her sweet face once more, and list
to her sweet voice again. She hurried on--Mr. Gorton met her at the
door, and taking her hand, said, sternly,

"Ellen, I wish you not to delay a moment in bidding adieu to your
friends--you have already kept me waiting too long."

There was no tenderness in his voice as he uttered this, and it fell
as a weight upon Ellen's heart, already saddened at the thought of
the parting with her mother and home friends, which must be now, and
which was soon over.

As the carriage rolled away, Ellen grieved bitterly. Mr. Gorton, who
really loved Ellen sincerely and fondly, encircled her waist with
his arm, and said, kindly,