It is no light thing to tell a woman of my nature she is unworthy of the love she prized above every earthly thing!" Her voice, despite her efforts, faltered.
"Florence, I have been too severe in my language, and you too proud and haughty.

Full well we know that without the love of each other life would be joyless to both.

Ours is not a common love; and again I say, let us forget the past, while, in future, need I ask you to keep nothing from me ?" He drew her to him as he spoke, and passing his arm round her, pressed her to his heart.

A long time Florence hid her head on his shoulder, as if struggling with her emotion, and then a heavy sob relieved her troubled heart.

Closer he clasped her to him, and, laying his cheek on hers, murmured: "My own darling Florence, forgive me, if I misjudged you; tell me that you will not remember my words--that this hour shall be to us a painful dream," She withdrew from his embrace, and, lifting her head, replied: "I was wrong to doubt your love, or believe that you would think long of my weakness; but I am innocent of the charge of dissimulation, and never let us recur to the past" She held out her hand, and clasping it in his, Mr.Stewart led her away.
An hour later Mary lay with closed eyes, too weary, from overexcitement, even to look about her.