How calmly she spoke! You would not have believed her the same woman who had sprung upon the girl so like a tiger only a few moments before. Even Agnes looked upon her with amazement.
"Woman," she said, "tell me what you are at—trust me, and I will help you heart and soul."
"What! even to the giving up of this new-born love?"
"Even to that, if I can be convinced of its necessity."
"I will trust you."
"Wholly—entirely?"
"Entirely!"
The girl threw her arms around that singular woman, their lips met, and the subtle force of one heart kindled and burned in the bosom of the other.
"Tell me everything, mamma!"
"I will. But first, let us read Mabel Harrington's journal, it will prepare you for the rest."