From this he was interrupted by his visitor, who said, as he moved towards the door-- "I will bid thee good morning, friend Edwards." "One moment, if you please," said the merchant, arousing himself, and speaking earnestly, "Where does Mary Belgrave live ?" The Friend answered the question, and, as Mr.Edwards did not seem inclined to ask any more, and besides fell back again into an abstract state, he wished him good morning and retired.
The poor girl was sitting alone in her room sewing, late in the afternoon of the day on which the incident at the auction room occurred, musing, as she had mused for hours, upon the unexpected adventure.

She did not, in the excitement of the moment, know Mr.
Edwards when he first tendered her the miniature; but when he said with peculiar emphasis and earnestness, turning away as he spoke--"Keep it, in Heaven's name!" she recognized him fully.

Since that moment, she had not been able to keep the thought of him from her mind.

They had been intimate friends at one time; but this was while they were both very young.

Then he had professed for her a boyish passion; and she had loved him with the childish fondness of a young school-girl.