At last it was her turn to speak, hers the task to comfort.

The prayer she had inwardly breathed for guidance to act aright had not been unheard, and with a strange calmness she arose, and laying her hand on Hugh's arm, bade him be seated, while she told him what she had to say.
He obeyed her, sinking into the offered chair, and then standing before him, she began: "You do not wish me to go away, you say.

I have no desire to go, except it should be better for you.

Even though I may not be your wife, I can, perhaps, minister to your happiness; and, Hugh, we will forget to-night, forget what has occurred, and be to each other what we were before, brother and sister.

There must be no particular perceptible change of manner, lest others should suspect what has passed between us.