But, oh, Mr.Nugent, it is sometimes so hard to be blind!" I can repeat the words; but I can give no idea of the touching simplicity with which they were spoken--of her innocently earnest anxiety to win her pardon.

She so affected Nugent that he too--after a look at Oscar which said, "May I ?"--kissed the hand that she offered to him.

As his lips touched her, she started.

The bright flush which always indicated the sudden rising of a thought in her mind, flew over her face.

She unconsciously held Nugent's hand in her own, absorbed in the interest of realizing the new thought.