I would give every earthly joy or possession to retain her affection, for it is dearer to me than everything beside, save truth, candor, and honesty.

I have nothing to conceal from her; I would willingly bare my secret soul to her scrutiny.

There is nothing I should wish to keep back, unless it be the pain of this hour." He paused by her side, and looked tenderly on the pale, yet lovely face of Florence.
"Mr.Stewart, shall one fault forever destroy your confidence in Florry, when she has declared that had she thought it incumbent on her to speak of these things--if she had felt as you do, she asserts that nothing could have prevented her revealing every circumstance." "Mary, I fear her code of morality is somewhat too lax; and the fact that she acknowledges no fault is far more painful than any other circumstance." "Mary, I have omitted one thing which I wish him to know.

I neglected to inform you, that the priest to whom I confessed is my half-brother! I have now told you all; and thinking as you do, it is better that in future we forget the past and be as strangers to each other.

That I have loved you fervently, I can never forget--neither your assertion that I am unworthy of your confidence." She disengaged her dress from Mary's clasp, and turned toward the door.