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'He stopped, but he bit his bloodless lip, and looked so terribly fierce that I was quite frightened However, my pride upheld me still, and I answered disdainfully; "I do not knohatit to anyone, Mr Hatfield; but if I were disposed to do so, you would not deter entleman to attempt it"

'"Pardon me, Miss Murray," said he, "I have loved you so intensely- -I do still adore you so deeply, that I would not willingly offend you; but though I never have loved, and never CAN love any woman as I have loved you, it is equally certain that I never was so ill- treated by any On the contrary, I have always found your sex the kindest andof God's creation, till now" (Think of the conceited fellow saying that!) "And the novelty and harshness of the lesson you have taughtdisappointed in the only quarter on which the happiness of my life depended, must excuse any appearance of asperity If reeable to you, Miss Murray," he said (for I was looking about ht I was tired of hireeable to you, Miss Murray, you have only to promise me the favour I named, and I will relieve you at once There are hted to accept what you have so scornfully trampled under your feet They would be naturally inclined to hate one whose surpassing loveliness has so coed my heart frole hint of the truth from ainst you as would seriously injure your prospects, and dientlele"

'"What do your mean, sir?" said I, ready to sta to end appears to me like a case of arrant flirtation, to say the least of it--such a case as you would find it rather inconvenient to have blazoned through the world: especially with the additions and exaggerations of your felad to publish the ave theentleman, that no word or syllable that could tend to your prejudice shall ever escape my lips, provided you will--"