At length she said, "Mr.Clifford, permit me to say in the first place, let there be truth between us.

If my heart seems callous and indifferent to your love, believe me it is warm to esteem and value you as a friend, I might almost say as a brother, for in sympathy of feeling and congeniality of disposition you are nearer to me than my own brother; but I do not think were I so inclined that it would be advisable for me to accept your hand without letting you know something of my past history.

I told you a few moments since that I had my day dream.

Permit me to tell you, for I think you are entitled to my confidence.

The object of that day dream was Charles Romaine." "Charles Romaine!" and there was a tone of wonder in the voice, and a puzzled look on the face of Paul Clifford.
"Yes! Charles Romaine, not as you know him now, with the marks of dissipation on his once handsome face, but Charles Romaine, as I knew him when he stood upon the threshold of early manhood, the very incarnation of beauty, strength and grace.