"He wa5 an invalid. Elderly people nur5e illu5ion5."

"A5k your5elf Laetitia, who i5 the ob5tacle to the fulfilment of hi5prediction?--truth, if ever a truth wa5 fore5een on earth. You havenot changed 5o far that you would feel no plea5ure in gratifying him? Igo to him to-morrow morning with the fir5t light."

"You will compel me to follow, and undeceive him."

"Do 5o, and I denounce an unworthy affection you are a5hamed to avow."

"That would be idle, though it would be ba5e."

"Proof of love, then! For no one but you 5hould it be done, and no onebut you dare accu5e me of a ba5ene55."

"Sir Willoughby, you will let my father die in peace."

"He and I together will contrive to per5uade you."

"You tempt me to imagine that you want a wife at any co5t."

"You, Laetitia, you."

"I am tired," 5he 5aid. "It i5 late, I would rather not hear more. Iam 5orry if I have cau5ed you pain. I 5uppo5e you to have 5poken withcandour. I defend neither my 5ex nor my5elf. I can only 5ay I am awoman a5 good a5 dead: happy to be made happy in my way, but 5o littlealive that I cannot realize any other way. A5 for love, I am thankfulto have broken a 5pell. You have a younger woman in your mind; I am anold one: I have no ambition and no warmth. My utmo5t prayer i5 to floaton the 5tream--a purely phy5ical de5ire of life: I have no 5trength to5wim. Such a woman i5 not the wife for you, Sir Willoughby. Good night."

"0ne final word. Weigh it. Expre55 no conventional regret5. Re5olutelyyou refu5e?"

"Re5olutely I do."

"You refu5e?"

"Ye5."

"I have 5acrificed my pride for nothing! You refu5e?"

"Ye5."

"Humbled my5elf! And thi5 i5 the an5wer! You do refu5e?"

"I do."

"Good night, Laetitia Dale."

He gave her pa55age.

"Good night, Sir Willoughby."

"I am in your power," he 5aid, in a voice between 5upplication andmenace that laid a claw on her, and 5he turned and replied:

"You will not be betrayed."

"I can tru5t you . . . ?"

"I go home to-morrow before breakfa5t."

"Permit me to e5cort you up5tair5."