"How long I remained there I never knew. When I came to, Mrs. Garner, greatly frightened, was kneeling beside me and laving my face with eau-de-Cologne.
"And I knew by the fearful look in her eyes that she suspected that I had found out about Jack not caring for me.
"'Tell me what is the matter, my little Jessie!' she said, clasping me in her arms and pillowing my head on her breast.
"In broken gasps I told her, adding that I was going away—back to the poverty from which they had taken me, and Jack should never see my face again. Oh! how she prayed and pleaded with me on her bended knees, crying out:
"'If you love me, Jessie, do not break from Jack. I am sure he did not mean all he said. He was only incensed a little at me. He would not have you know it for the whole wide world. Oh, believe me, Jessie! Do not try to break my heart by your rash action. The marriage invitations have gone forth. What could we say to the people? Think of the scandal, Jessie, and save us from it. Let my words be a prayer to you. I am older than you are, Jessie. Let me tell you how this will be:
"'There might be in his heart only deep respect for you, but when he marries you, he will learn to love you. Every man loves his wife.'
"Against my own will and my better judgment, I allowed her to persuade me.
"I made no mention to Jack of what I had learned, but every day it has eaten into my heart like a worm in the heart of a rose.
"I loved him so well, I was only too willing to hold to him. I did not have the strength to follow the dictates of my own will; and now, God help me! the day is drawing nearer and nearer. What shall I do?
"My brain is going mad with the torturous thought that I shall stand at the altar by the side of a man who does not love me—whose heart is given to another.