degree of pain of which you have little idea."
"You do love him, then?" cried Mrs. Courtenaye.
"Madam," returned Ethel, again attempting to leave the room, "you can have no possible right to ask the question."
"I am wrong," exclaimed the other; "but solitude has made my habits abrupt, and my very anxiety defeats my object. All that I implore is, that you will listen to me patiently—listen to me, lady, but for five minutes."
What could Ethel do but resume her seat? and Mrs. Courtenaye continued,—
"Do tell me, before I proceed, whether there was any other motive for your rejection of Norbourne's renewed address than resentment for his former inconstancy?"
"Do not call it resentment," cried Ethel; "perhaps it will save a continuance of this to me most distressing conversation, if I say, that Mr. Courtenaye's conduct has been such that I never could permit myself to regard him
