"Oh, Irene, why did you do that?" exclaimed little Lilia.
"Why did you do it?" echoed the man.
"I had lost the only friend I had on earth, and I did not wish to live," she answered.
"Then I was right. You will not thank me for saving your life," exclaimed Mr. Stuart.
"Yes, for I repented my rashness as soon as my body struck the cold waves," she answered, shivering. "I am thankful my life was spared to me. Life is hard, but death is harder."
He looked at the beautiful, agitated girl with deep interest. He began to see that there had been some romance in her life. Her face had a tragedy written on it.
"You will wish to return to your home and your friends?" he said.
An exceedingly bitter expression crossed the lovely young face, and for a moment she was silent. To herself she said: "I have neither home, nor friends, nor name. Those whom I left will be glad to think that I am dead."
Her heart was hardened against them all. She believed that her mother had left her to perish without one effort at rescue.
"She was glad to be rid of her illegitimate child," she said to herself, with inexpressible bitterness.