“O Edna! you are cruel, unlike yourself!” “Forgive me, sir, if I seem so, and believe me when I assure you that it pains me more to say it than you to hear it.  No woman should marry a man whose affection and society are not absolutely essential to her peace of mind and heart.  Applying this test to you, I find that mine is in no degree dependent on you; and, though you may have no warmer friend, I must tell you it is utterly useless for you to hope that I shall ever love you as you wish, Mr. Leigh, I regret that I can not; and if my heart were only puppet of my will, I would try to reciprocate your affection, because I appreciate so fully and so gratefully all that you generously offer me.  To-day you stretch out your hand to a poor girl, of unknown parentage, reared by charity—­a girl considered by your family and friends an obscure interloper in aristocratic circles, and with a noble magnanimity, for which I shall thank you always, you say, ’Come, take my name, share my fortune, wrap yourself in my love, and be happy!  I will give you a lofty position in society, whence you can look down on those who sneer at your poverty and lineage.’  O, Mr. Leigh!  God knows I wish I loved you as you deserve!  Ambition and gratitude alike plead for you; but it is impossible that I could ever consent to be your wife.”

Her eyes were full of tears as she looked in his handsome face, hitherto so bright and genial; now clouded and saddened by a bitter disappointment; and suddenly catching both his hands in hers, she stooped and pressed her lips to them.

“Although you refuse to encourage, you cannot crush the hope that my affection will, after a while, win yours in return.  You are very young, and as yet scarcely know your own heart, and unshaken constancy on my part will plead for me in coming years.  I will be patient, and as long as you are Edna Earl—­as long as you remain mistress of your own heart—­I shall cling fondly to the only hope that gladdens my future.  Over my feelings you have no control; you may refuse me your hand—­that is your right—­but while I shall abstain from demonstrations of affection, I shall certainly cherish the hope of possessing it.  Meantime, permit me to ask whether you still contemplate leaving Mrs. Murray’s house?  Miss Harding told my sister yesterday that in a few months you would obtain a situation as governess or teacher in a school.”

“Such is certainly my intention; but I am at a loss to conjecture how Miss Harding obtained her information, as the matter has not been alluded to since her arrival.”

“I trust you will pardon me the liberty I take, in warning you to be exceedingly circumspect in your intercourse with her, for I have reason to believe that her sentiments toward you are not so friendly as might be desired.”

“Thank you, Mr. Leigh.  I am aware of her antipathy, though of its cause I am ignorant; and our intercourse is limited to the salutations of the day, and the courtesies of the table.”