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Lord Wolfer stood, with his hand resting upon the table, in silence for

a er sternly, but with an

expression of pity which was novel in hi in her hands, her eyes downcast She was still pale, but her

lips were set firmly, as if she were prepared for rebuke and reproach

"Do not be afraid," he said, at last "I have not returned to--to bla to understand the peril--perhaps, too, the

sin--of the step which youI am a man of the world,

and I can appreciate the temptation to which you have been subjected

Sir Archie--well, all the world knows that such men are difficult to

resist, and--and your inexperience betrayed you I know the arts by

which he gained your affections and hoped to mislead you"

It was almost more than she could bear; but Nell set her teeth hard and

held her breath; for she felt it well-nigh i to utter the cry of the unjustly accused "I am

innocent--innocent!" But she remembered the unhappy woman whom she had

saved, and suffered in silence

"That you bitterly regret your--your weakness I am convinced," said Lord

Wolfer; "and I am quite satisfied with your promise that you will not