"I see nothing ahead for the poor girl, but loneliness and trial.

She is utterly unfit to struggle with the world.

And she has not even a shelter for her head." "Richard," interrupted his sister, with intensity of feeling in her voice, "I see what you are trying to persuade yourself: do not tell me, after what has passed, you still feel that you are bound to her--" "_Bound!_" exclaimed Richard, with a vehemence most strange in him, as, pacing the room, he stood still before his sister.

His back was toward me.

She was so absorbed she did not see me as I darted past the folding-doors into the hall.