She moved to a seat retired a little from the busy crowd; Godolphin followed and sat himself beside her; and then, with a slight effort, Constance spoke.
"You heard what was said, Mr.Godolphin, and I grieve to think you did.

If I offended you, however, forgive me, I pray you; I pray sincerely--warmly.

God knows I have suffered myself enough from idle words, and from the slighting opinion with which this hard world visits the poor, not to feel deep regret and shame if I wound, by like means, another, more especially"-- Constance's voice trembled,--"more especially _you!_" As she spoke, she turned her eyes on Godolphin, and they were full of tears.

The tenderness of her voice, her look, melted him at once.

Was it to him, indeed, that the haughty Constance addressed the words of kindness and apology ?--to him whose intrinsic circumstances she had heard described as so unworthy of her, and, his reason told him, with such justice?
"Oh, Miss Vernon!" said he, passionately; "Miss Vernon--Constance--dear, dear Constance! dare I call you so?
hear me one word.