Mr.Stewart caught her hand, and firmly held it.

She struggled not to release herself, but lifted her dark eyes to his, and calmly met his earnest glance.
"Florence!" There was a mournful tenderness in the deep tone.

Her lip quivered, still her eyes fell not beneath his, piercing as an eagle's.
"Mr Stewart, you have wronged her; you have been too severe." And Mary clasped his hand tightly, and looked up appealingly.

He withdrew his hand.
"Florence, this is a bitter, bitter hour to me.

Yet I may have judged too harshly: we will forget the past, and, in future, let no such cloud come between us." "Not so, Mr.Stewart: if I am unworthy, how can you expect confidence from me?
Think you I will change the code which you just now pronounced too lax?
Oh! you know not what you have done.