early errors; to brand it as a mistake or fabrication. You insinuate
that, in reserving my sentence until I shall have heard both sides
of it, I show myself unworthy of the love of a true man; betray of
what mean stuff my affection is made. I suppose blind faith is
sublime! But for my part, I had rather be loved in spite of my known
faults, than receive wilfully ignorant worship."

The daring stroke at Mrs. Sutton's hypothesis of the inseparable
union between esteem and affection, excited her into an impolitic
admission.

"My child, you make my blood run cold! You do not mean that you
could love a man for whose character you had no respect!"

"There is a difference between learning to love and continuing to
love," said Mabel, sententiously. "But we have had enough of useless
talk, aunt. In two days more Winston will be here. Until then, let
matters remain as they are. You can tell Rosa as much or as little
as you like of what has happened. She must suspect that something
has gone awry. To-morrow, I will look up this Mr. Jenkyns, and
deliver the messages with which I am charged--likewise consult the
mason about the 'baronial' fireplace," smiling bitterly.

"You never saw another creature so altered as she is," Mrs. Sutton
bewailed to Rosa, in rehearsing the scene. "If this thing should
turn out to be true, she is ruined and heart-broken for life. She
will become a cold, cynical, unfeeling woman--a feminine copy of her
granite brother."

"If!" reiterated Rosa, testily. "There is not one syllable of truth