Page 109 (1/2)

"And thus," he proceeded, "that the sincere friendship hich

you still regard hiement to continue an

attachment, unhappily now hopeless and obstructive to his prospects"

Ermine's eyes flashed at the dictation "Lord Keith," she said, "I have

never sought your brother's visits nor striven to prolong them; but if

he finds pleasure in them after a life of disappointe theo, "that I have

trespassed long on your tienerosity hich you have hitherto acted"

"One enerous of one's own, not of other people's," said Ermine

He looked at her puzzled, then said, "Perhaps it will be best to speak

categorically, Miss Williams Let it be distinctly understood thathis addresses to you, is necessarily without ht not be necessary, ;" and her courteous

boas an absolute dismissal

But when Alison came home she found her more depressed than she had

allowed herself to be for years, and on asking as the matter was

answered-"Pride and perverseness, Ailie!" then, in reply to the eager

exclamation, "I believe he was justified in all he said But, Ailie, I

have preached to Colinhis

brother I did not kno provoking he can be I did not think it was