She opened the parlor-door; and stood looking in, with the strange imperceptive gaze of a sleep-walker.
Then she roused herself and saw that he was not there; so she came in a step or two, and sat down in her dripping cloak on a chair near the door.
Edward returned, bold now there was no danger.
"Maggie!" said he, "what have you fixed to say to Mr.Burton ?" She sighed deeply; and then lifted up her large innocent eyes to his face.
"I cannot give up Frank," said she, in a low, quiet voice.
Mrs.Browne threw up her hands and exclaimed in terror: "Oh Edward, Edward! go away--I will give you all the plate I have; you can sell it--my darling, go!" "Not till I have brought Maggie to reason," said he, in a manner as quiet as her own, but with a subdued ferocity in it, which she saw, but which did not intimidate her.
He went up to her, and spoke below his breath.
"Maggie, we were children together--we two--brother and sister of one blood! Do you give me up to be put in prison--in the hulks--among the basest of criminals--I don't know where--all for the sake of your own selfish happiness ?" She trembled very much; but did not speak or cry, or make any noise.
"You were always selfish.

You always thought of yourself.

But this time I did think you would have shown how different you could be.

But it's self--self--paramount above all." "Oh Maggie! how can you be so hard-hearted and selfish ?" echoed Mrs.
Browne, crying and sobbing.
"Mother!" said Maggie, "I know that I think too often and too much of myself.

But this time I thought only of Frank.