"Oh, if I did not mention him, he is always here!" answered Mabel, pressing a hand to her heart, and looking upward with a face beaming with vivid tenderness; "I never knew how much of love was in my soul before."
How unconscious the noble woman was of her dreamy wanderings of speech—how pure and trustful was the look which she fixed upon Harrington's face as she said this. A holy thankfulness pervaded her whole being; from the black deep she seemed to have gathered a world of beautiful strength.
"Come," she said, struggling to her feet and smiling in gentle derision of her weakness, as she felt her head begin to reel, "I am not afraid to try the boat again, if some one will help me."
Harrington did not move, and after a perplexed look from one to the other, Ben stooped his shoulder that she might lean upon it.
When they reached the boat, Mabel was almost exhausted, but she found strength to think of Agnes, who had silently followed them.
"Will you not get in?" she said, faintly, "I should be glad to have you with me."
"No," answered the girl, in the sweetest of all accents, "nurse would be terrified to death. I will return home."
"Not alone," said James Harrington, "that must not be."
"Oh, Mr. Harrington, I am used to being alone. It is the fate of a poor girl like me!"
There was something plaintive in her voice, and she drooped meekly forward, as if imploring pardon for having said so much.