"I was drawing on my gloves in the entry," he began, gravely, "when it occurred to me that it might be pleasant for you both to attend Mr. E—'s lecture this evening. I stepped back toward the door when I heard your remark, 'But if I said nothing, I, too, should be guilty of falsehood.' Then followed your sister's retort, when— In fact, I don't think after that I knew exactly what I was about."
She did not answer.
"I may never see you again, Miss Ellen," he added, with an expression of pain; "but I do not like to go until you say you will excuse me for what I involuntarily heard."
She blushed painfully, but after an effort, said,—
"Mr. Mansfield, you are a great deal older than I am, and perhaps will not understand my frankness. As far as I am concerned, I excuse you; but don't you think it would have been better for you to walk right away?"
"Yes, if I had been responsible for my own actions; but to tell the truth, I was stunned with what I heard. And then it may affect the happiness of my whole life. But I feel that I have gained a friend, if I have lost one. I thank you for your candor, and the more as I know what an effort it cost you. As you value your own peace and that of your friends, retain your truthfulness at whatever cost. Truth is a priceless jewel, and I am delighted to see that you, at least, possess it."
As our story has already exceeded its limits, I can only add that Alice, though acknowledged to have more beauty of features and more ease of manner, was neither loved nor respected like her sister. She married at the age of twenty-six a man whom she had deceived into believing her to be four years younger, and for whose position in society she had made one dreadfully false oath at the altar, when she promised to love and cherish him till death.
Ellen remained with her father in B— until her school education was completed; and then, as Alice was in Philadelphia visiting one of her fashionable friends, accompanied him to Europe, where they remained two years. At the end of that time, they returned, and were soon welcomed by Dr. Frank Collins, who had gone into partnership with his father in P—.
"Ellen," he said, on the evening of her arrival, "I have one question to ask you; and as I know you to be truthful, I expect a candid reply. Will you be my wife?"
"Yes, sir, I will."