We know there isn't much to be got out of life; but we always hoped you would get more than anybody else." Hylda shrank, then raised her head, and looked at the Duchess with an infinite pathos.

"Oh, is it always so--in life?
Is no one true?
Is every one betrayed sometime?
I would die--yes, a thousand times yes, I would rather die than bear this.

What do I care for life--it has cheated me! I meant well, and I tried to do well, and I was true to him in word and deed even when I suffered most, even when--" The Duchess laid a cheek against the burning head.

"I understand, my own dear.

I understand--altogether." "But you cannot know," the broken girl replied; "but through everything I was true; and I have been tempted too when my heart was aching so, when the days were so empty, the nights so long, and my heart hurt--hurt me.