This sick sad heart you taught to ache,
And fling it in the restless sea.
I would my thoughts of you could be
So flung away from me; and yet
I cannot break the cruel net!”
Poor Cecil! the future looked very dark and gloomy to his despondent heart as he wended his way officeward, and Violet filled his thoughts, to the exclusion of triumphant Amber, who had hastened to Bonnycastle and imparted her news to Mrs. Grant.
The lady was surprised, though she did not permit Amber to suspect it. Intuitively she had read the girl’s heart, and knew that love for Cecil had prompted all her kindness, but she had not expected that her son would so soon forget his lost Violet.
The truth flashed quickly over her mind.
She understood that Cecil had sacrificed himself to pay the debt he owed Amber for saving Bonnycastle to his mother.
“Dear, noble boy!” she thought, tenderly, and kissed Amber very fondly, while she registered a silent prayer that Cecil would soon learn to love the beautiful girl to whom he had plighted his hand since she had proved more worthy of his heart than lovely Violet, who had once been her favorite.