Page 306 (2/2)

me less Nell, be merciful to me! What could I do? I aed to do so; I would have told

her I loved her no longer, that iven to another, to you,

Nell; but there was no time She left me before I could scarcely utter a

word And then I went in search of you--and the rest you know Think,

Nell! When you sent land with my

disappointment and my misery Ah, Nell, if you had only told me that you

had beheld the scene on the balcony! Go back to her--and leave you!"

He laughed withtoo tense for mere words

At such ht of manliness in him,

has need of more than words

"Think, dearest!" he said hoarsely "Compare yourself with poor Luce!

You say she is 'beautiful' Do you never look in the glass? Dearest, you

are, in all e paste! Oh, Nell, if h! And you thought I had left you for her,

gone back to her! And so you sent me away to exile and misery!"