"Edward!" the girl said, in an inarticulate voice, and melting into tears.
Mrs. Black directed on her daughter a glance of supreme pity, embraced her ardently several times, and said, in a soft voice,—
"You see that you had a secret, my child, since you love him."
"Alas!" she murmured, naively, "I do not know it, mother."
The good lady nodded her head with satisfaction, led her daughter back to her chair, and herself sitting down, said to her,—
"And now that we have had a thorough explanation, and there is no longer a secret between us, suppose we have a little talk, Diana."
"I am quite willing, mother."
"Listen to me, then; my age and experience, leaving out of sight the position in which I stand to you, authorize me in giving you advice. Will you hear it?"
"Oh, mother! you know I respect and love you."
"I know it, dear child; I know too, as I have never left you since your birth, and have incessantly watched over you, how generous your mind is, how noble your heart, and how capable of self-devotion. I must cause you great pain, poor girl; but it is better to attend to the green wound, than allow time to render the evil incurable."