I made no reply, seeing she was convinced of her power; but, with all her maddening grace and beauty, I kept the hope still that she would fail.  I could fancy Mr. Winthrop trampling ruthlessly on the strongest pleading of his heart sooner than stoop to the degradation of a second time asking her to be his wife.

“You have been thinking it all out, and have decided there is no chance for me.”

“How do you know?” I asked, startled by her correct guess.

“Your face is a very open page.  Be careful when you get to love a man, which as yet I do not think you have ever done, lest your secret may too easily be discovered.  Men usually care very little for what costs them no trouble.”

My face flushed hotly, but I made her no reply.

“I expected you to flash back that you were never going to fall in love.  It is the way with most unsophisticated young people.”

“If I should, and my love is returned, I will be faithful to any vows I may make.”

“My dear friend, you are too inexperienced to make such rash promises.  You do not know what mutinous elements are slumbering in your heart.”

“God help me to have principle enough to smother them if they are there and get wakened.”

I rose to go, as night was rapidly falling.

“I can stay no longer and so far as my helping you is concerned, I have been summoned uselessly,” I said, coldly.

“No, indeed; I have heard that you were very pure minded, and see the public estimate of your character is correct.  I want you to teach me to be like you, true and good.”

She looked into my eyes with such a guileless expression that, for an instant, I thought she might be tired of her old, heartless life, and long to be better.  I stood looking with some perplexity into the fire, scarce knowing what to say; but, turning my eyes suddenly, I saw a mocking gleam pass over her face.

“You would find it very tame patterning after me.  I would advise you to seek some higher ideal—­one more worthy your superior powers.”  I bowed and was turning towards the door.

“Just one moment longer—­won’t you come again?  I have a favor to ask of you, but the moments have slipped away so rapidly I have not had time to say all I want.  Tell me, do you not think I have sinned past all forgiveness, and should become an outcast from Oaklands and its master?  Is that the old-fashioned Christianity the Bible teaches?”

“I cannot say that it is not.”

“Do you not say every day ’Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us?’”

“Yes.  But the one who has done the wrong is commanded to do his or her part also, to bring forth fruits showing their repentance.”

“Am I not about to do that when I humble myself, as I shall do at the first suitable opportunity, to that proud man?”

“Are you not suing for more than that?  Have you come here merely to be forgiven?”