No, no, that tale shall live and die with me; no one shall know how low I have fallen.

Poor Walter! he will think I cannot feel for his unreturned affection, when I know too well its pang; and why should I not be happy with him, why live on in lingering wretchedness, when, perhaps as a wife, new duties might rouse me from this lethargy?
Away from Herbert I might forget--be reconciled; but swear to love Walter when I have no love to give--return his affection by indifference--oh, no, no, I will not be so guilty." Ellen again hid her eyes in her hands, and thought long and painfully.
Pride urged her to accept young Cameron, but every better feeling revolted from it.

She started from that posture of despondency, and, with a bursting heart, answered Walter's eloquent appeal.

Kindness breathed in every line she wrote--regard for his welfare--esteem for his character; but she calmly yet decidedly rejected his addresses.

She was grieved, she said, most deeply grieved that anything in her manner towards him had encouraged his hopes.