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"Your manner indicates how you feel; and you may tell me what has happened if you wish If you prefer that we should be alone, coe, and in the quiet of my private parlor you can tell loomily; "I am not fit to enter your house, and for other reasons would rather not do so I have no better friend than Mr Growther, and he already knows it all Ito stay"

"I ca down, she turned a grave and expectant face toward him

"I cannot find words in which to tell you bert I believe that you have always told ain," he said desperately; "and yet it seems like profanation to describe such a scene to you" But he did describe it, briefly and graphically, nevertheless As he spoke of his last fierce blohich vanquished his opponent, Mr Growther lad you hit 'im so hard; but then that's in keepin' with the cussedness of limmer of a smile hovered around Mrs Arnot's flexible mouth, but she only asked quietly: "Is that all?"

"I should think that was enough, after all that I had felt and professed"

"I fear I shall shock you, Egbert, but I am not very much surprised at your course Indeed I think it was quite natural, in view of the circumstances Perhaps lad that felloas punished; and I think it was very natural for you to punish hi of you, I am the more hopeful of you"

"Mrs Arnot!" exclaiuised astonishment "Now do not jump to hasty and false conclusions froht In the abstract it was decidedly wrong, and for your language there is no other excuse save that an old, bad habit asserted itself at a ti leniently with you, Egbert, because it is a trick of the adversary to tempt to despair as well as to over-confidence At the same time I speak sincerely You are and have been for some time in a morbid state of mind Let ency The very conditions under which you have been working at the mill imposed a continuous strain upon your nervous power You were steadily approaching a point where ive way Mark, I do not say that you er, and to endure everything; but er It is often wiser to shun certain temptations, if we can, than tointo account all the circumstances, you could have tamely sub-continued and exasperating injury, I should have doubted whether you possessed the , forceful ive way to passion in this manner, you would be little better than a wild beast; but for weeks you had exercised very great forbearance and self-control--for one of your temperament, remarkable self-control--and I respect you for it We are as truly bound to be just to ourselves as to others Your action was certainly wrong, and I would be deeply grieved and disappointed if you continued to give way to such ebullitions of passion; but re, and observing plainly that you are in an unhealthful condition of mind and body, I think your course was very natural indeed, and that you have no occasion for such despondency"