I have ceased to love the earl, but I can never love another, and therefore it would be unjust to you, to whom I owe so much, to hold out hopes that never can be realized." "Alas! alas!" cried Leonard, unable to control his emotion.
"Compose yourself, dear Leonard," she cried, greatly moved.

"I would I could comply with your wishes.

But, alas! I cannot.

I could only give you," she added, in a tone so thrilling, that it froze the blood in his veins--"a breaking, perhaps a broken heart!" "Gracious heaven!" exclaimed Leonard, becoming as pale as death; "is it come to this ?" "Again, I beg you to compose yourself," she rejoined, calmly--"and I entreat you not to let what I have told you pass your lips.

I would not alarm my father, or my dear and anxious mother, on my account.