“You are mistaken, sir,” answered Mary; “Ella does not wish to be free.  But come with me; I promised to bring you.”

With an air of desperation, Henry took his hat, and started with Mary for Mrs. Campbell’s.  Oh, how eagerly Ella sprang forward to meet him, and burying her face in his bosom, she sobbed like a child.

“Hush, Ella, this is foolish,” said he; and then seating her in a chair, he asked, “why he was sent for.”

“I was afraid,—­afraid you might think I did not love you now,” answered Ella.

“I could not blame you if you did not,” said Henry.  “Matters have changed since we last met, and I am not mean enough to expect you to keep your engagement.”

“But if I expect it,—­If I wish it?” asked Ella, raising her tear-wet eyes to his face.

“You are excited now,” said he, “but in a few days you’ll thank me for my decision.  An alliance with poverty could be productive of nothing but unhappiness to you; and while I thank you for your unselfish love, I cannot accept it, for I am determined that, so long as I am poor, I shall never marry; and the sooner you forget me, the better, for, Ella, I am not deserving of your love.”

Then, with a cold adieu, he left her; and when, half an hour afterwards, Mary entered the parlor, she found her sister lying upon the sofa, perfectly motionless, except when a tremor of anguish shook her slight frame.  A few words explained all, and taking her head in her lap, Mary tried to soothe her.  But Ella refused to be comforted; and as she seemed to prefer being alone, Mary ere long left her, and bent her steps towards Mr. Lincoln’s dwelling, which presented a scene of strange confusion.  The next day was the auction, and many people of both sexes had assembled to examine, and find fault with, the numerous articles of furniture, which were being removed to the auction room.

“Where’s them silver candlesticks, and that cake-basket that cost up’ards of a hundred dollars?” asked one fussy, vulgar-looking old woman, peering into closets and cupboards, and even lifting trunk lids in her search.  “I want some such things, and if they go for half price or less, mebby Israel will bid; but I don’t see ’em.  I’ll warrant they’ve hid ’em.”

Mary was just in time to hear this remark, and she modestly replied, that Mr. Lincoln’s creditors had generously presented him with all the silver, which was now at Mr. Selden’s.

The woman stared impudently at her a moment, and then said, “Now, that’s what I call downright cheatin’?  What business has poor folks with so much silver.  Better pay their debts fust.  That’s my creed.”

Mary turned away in disgust, but not until she heard the woman’s daughter whisper, “Don’t, mother,—­that’s Miss Howard,—­Mrs. Campbell’s niece,” to which the mother replied, “Wall, who cares for that?  Glad I gin her a good one.  Upper crust ain’t no better than I be.”