the force of circumstances I may impute it?—or . . . is it . . ."

"Mr. Harleigh," interrupted Ellis, with strong emotion, "there is no medium, in a situation such as mine, between unlimited confidence, or unbroken taciturnity: my confidence I cannot give you; it is out of my power—ask me, then, nothing!"

"One word,—one little word,—and I will torment you no longer: is it to pre-engagement———"

Her face was averted, and her hand again was placed upon the lock of the door.

"Speak, I implore you, speak!—Is that heart, which I paint to myself the seat of every virtue ... is it already gone?—given, dedicated to another?"

He now trembled himself, and durst not resist her effort to open the door, as she replied, "I have no heart!—I must have none?"

She uttered this in a tone of gaiety,