Thus urged, Mrs. Hawthorne proceeded, as gently as was consistent with her nature, into the neighbouring room; but within a few seconds, the plaintive and agitated voice of the sufferer was heard calling for Miss Basinstoke. Cécile did not respond to the anxious summons until it had been several times renewed; she then followed upon Mrs. Hawthorne's footsteps, and inquired of the ill-fated girl what she desired.

"Oh, Miss Basinstoke, Miss Basinstoke!" muttered the latter, "Mr. Lewis is here, and you know that I cannot-that I will not see him! Pray tell him so, and also tell him whybut don't let him come in; I have not strength, I really have not!" and, with an hysterical sob, poor Mabel's head fell back upon her pillow.

Cécile whispered a few words of acquiescence and of consolation in her ear, and then hastened to the door of the room, just in time to arrest the entrance of the young clergyman.

"Miss Basinstoke !" cried he, partly divining

her purpose, you are here on a fearful

errand."

"Say, rather, on a very painful duty, Mr. Lewis, but one that must be performed. I have a word for your private ear."

He followed her into a lonely corner of the small room, and she then resumed :

"Read this letter, which I received this morning, painfully traced in secret, by the dying hand of that poor girl. It is my excuse for being here contrary to Lady Helen's positive injunctions: it will be yours, if you require one, for not adding fresh bitterness, in this hour, to a cup which is already overflowing."

Mr. Lewis took the letter, and having attentively perused it, gravely replied:

"I see strong evidence here, Miss Basinstoke, that, as I much apprehended, this truly unfortunate young woman's mind is lamentably unsettled upon the all-important subject of her religious creed; and this can but be an additional incentive for me to persevere in my mission."

"Her mind is not unsettled, Mr. Lewis," firmly answered Cécile ; "it is resolutely, irrevocably fixed, as you will see, if you read again. You would but perplex and harass her

last hour.

In the name of the all-merciful Being whom we both worship, proceed no further!"

"My dear Miss Basinstoke," replied he, "while giving you credit for the very best intentions, I must tell you that such objections as you have just raised are very frequently urged upon us in similar cases, and must be as often overruled."

"You misunderstand me, Mr. Lewis. This is no ordinary case of human infirmity on the verge of dissolution. He whose presence alone is expected and desired has been sent for, and is, I trust, even now at hand; while you, Mr. Lewis, with all respect for your character and truly christian virtues, she dreads above al things upon earth to encounter."

"How can that be?" muttered he, much perplexed at the earnest tone of the speaker.

"I will tell you," resumed Cécile, in a low voice, "for this is no time for vain compliments. Poor Mabel holds you to be responsible in part, though God knows most unconsciously, for her misfortunes and her-her fall."

"Gracious Heaven, Miss Basinstoke! what can you mean?"

"Do you remember her having pressingly and repeatedly requested your permission to see you in private, and at your own house ?"

"I do remember it, and also having willingly assented, provided there were any sufficient motive."

"And do you recollect what occurred, when at length she took courage and went to you ?"

"No, not exactly," said Mr. Lewis, in a tone of the deepest sincerity.

Well," resumed Cécile, "she has told me that, on that day, she was, after some hesitation, admitted into your presence. She found you, not alone, but with another person, older than yourself, and to all appearance an Anglican clergyman likewise. Greatly overawed, she attempted to explain that it was you alone whom she wished to meet, upon which your companion exclaimed: Hallo, young man, no auricular confession going on in this district, I trust!' or something to that effect. Do you remember now, Mr. Lewis ?”

"I have some recollection, but faint enough, as of an incident to which no importance was attached at the time. Pray continue to relate

what may have been this poor girl's impression, and-and yours."

"She thought that you seemed rather startled and annoyed, and feeling herself still more embarrassed than before, she withdrew, saying that she would come again, but she never returned. On that day, Mr. Lewis, she would have revealed to you the fatal secret of her heart; she would have told you how the betrayer, the destroyer's words were instilling their subtle poison into her soul, and subduing more and more all power of. resistance; she would have intreated you to intercede with him, that he should renounce his fatal pursuit, or impart to it an honourable character. She believes that one word from you might have sustained her, or arrested him; but it was otherwise decreed."

"It is a sad and most unfortunate occurrence indeed, Miss Basinstoke," replied Mr. Lewis, evidently somewhat moved; "but you must excuse me for saying that it militates altogether in favour of the course which I am about to pursue. I am here not only through my own impulse and sense of duty, but in consequence of a pressing message from this unfortunate