movement swept away the kindly spirit, which whispered, "Don't
undeceive her. Don't quench the light of that bright face, nor break
that girlish heart."

But it was necessary; Marie Porter knew that, and though she repented
of what she had done, it was now too late to retreat, and all she
could do was to break the heart of the unsuspecting girl as tenderly
as possible.

"Why are you so lonely?" she said, "This is a most beautiful spot. I
believe I'd like to live here myself."

"Oh, yes, 'tis a lovely place," answered Rosamond, "but--but--Mr.
Browning is not here," and she averted her crimson face.

"Is Mr. Browning so necessary to your happiness" Miss Porter asked,
and bringing an ottoman, Rosamond sat down at her visitor's feet and
thus replied: "We talked so much of him at the Springs that it surely
is not foolish in me to tell you what everybody knows. Now, you won't
laugh at me, will you? Mr. Browning and I are going to--oh, I can't
tell it; but, any way, your fortune-telling is not true."

"Mr. Browning and you are going to be married. Is that it?" the woman
asked; and with a quick, upward glance of her soft, brown
eyes, Rosamond replied, Yes, that's it--that's it; and oh, you can't
begin to guess how happy I am. He is not _crazy_ either. It was
something else, though I don't know what, for he never told me, and I
do not care to know. The obstacle has been removed, whatever it was,
and it has wrought such a change in him. He's so much younger--
handsomer, now, and so kind to me. I'm glad you've come, Miss Porter,