broken leg. I don't say that I may not live to love and to marry
another woman: it is my wish to do so. But I know that I shall love
Jessie to my dying day; but not sinfully, sir,--not sinfully. I would
not wrong her by a thought."

There was a long pause.

At last Kenelm said, "You promised to be kind to that little girl with
the flower-ball; what has become of her?"

"She is quite well, thank you, sir. My aunt has taken a great fancy
to her, and so has my mother. She comes to them very often of an
evening, and brings her work with her. A quick, intelligent little
thing, and full of pretty thoughts. On Sundays, if the weather is
fine, we stroll out together in the fields."

"She has been a comfort to you, Tom."

"Oh, yes."

"And loves you?"

"I am sure she does; an affectionate, grateful child."

"She will be a woman soon, Tom, and may love you as a woman then."

Tom looked indignant and rather scornful at that suggestion, and
hastened to revert to the subject more immediately at his heart.

"Miss Travers said you would like to call on Will Somers and his wife;