you; you are the angel of our house. You are with us now, and you shall never leave us—unless you love another, and if so, you are free. Helen, tell me truly, by the light of Heaven, and in the honour of your heart, do you love Reginald?"
'The colour suddenly left her cheeks, and she became rigid as marble. Though by nature sweet and gentle, she seemed now to be totally changed, and she spoke slowly and decisively. Her words were:
'"Ask me if I love—a serpent!"
'"Good God!" I exclaimed, "and is it so? Why do we suffer him in the house?"
'"Oh, Julius!" said the noble creature, "we are living in evil times, and you—yes, you—with your brilliant talents and splendid opportunities—I cannot help speaking thus—you are breaking your mother's heart. You are drifting day by day into hopeless ruin. Think not of marriage; I do not, and I will not think of it."
'"Marriage! marriage with you, Helen," I cried passionately, "will save me! nothing else will save me! I feel it, I know it. Alas! I am as weak as water; you, as my darling wife, will give me strength."
'"No," she answered; "I can never give you strength. Ask it of a higher Power. You speak only from charity or compassion, and while I thank you with all my heart, I will answer with an iron sense and determination of duty. I banish love, and fly from all sentimental, and even grateful thoughts, and I tell you, Julius, firmly and finally, although my telling you may break my heart, I will never be your wife; I will never be the wife knowingly of a careless, pleasure-seeking, dissipated man."
'"For the love of God, Helen," I said, falling on my knees before her, and bathing her hand with my tears, "have mercy on me! I shall be a changed man. Say
