THE FIRST GREAT ERROR.
THE youngest sister of Lawrence was much attached to Mary Lee, and met her frequently. It did not escape her eyes, that there was a change in her brother, and that Mary was unhappy. But the cause of that change had not occurred to her. That both her father and mother disapproved the selection which Lawrence had made, she was too well aware; but she approved it with all her heart, for she knew better than they did, and could better appreciate the virtues of his betrothed.
One evening Mary Dunbar called upon Mary Lee, and surprised her in tears. Drawing her arm about her neck, she tenderly inquired the cause of her affliction. Mary Lee tried to evade the question, but the sister of Lawrence, connecting the unhappiness of Mary with her brother, pleaded so strongly for her confidence, that she could not resist the earnest desire she had to utter what was in her mind.
"Lawrence is not what he was," she said, her tears flowing afresh.
"He is changed, but not to you, I hope," returned the sister.
"Yes, to me," replied Mary, after she had recovered herself enough to speak in a quivering voice. "I fear that he has ceased to love me. Weeks have passed since he was here."
"Weeks!"
"Yes, weeks. And when he does come, he is so cold and reserved that his presence chills me."
"Cold and reserved to you!" Mary spoke with surprise.
"And now, Mary," the maiden said, forcing down her feelings and speaking calmly, "have you any suspicion of the cause?"