"No," replied Mrs. Courtenaye, "it was love for his mother."
"I do not know," exclaimed Miss Churchill, a little natural pride increasing her indignation, "why you should have objected to his union with one who, in fortune and family, was his equal in every way; and who loved him—how deeply, how dearly, my own heart only can tell! But why do you thus seek to stir up again feelings, with which you have each so cruelly trifled?"
"Reproach me!" said Mrs. Courtenaye, "I deserve it; but do not blame Norbourne. Never has his heart changed from its entire affection for you; and little do you know the wretchedness that he has endured."
"Madam, you might have spared us both this. I pity him! I pity myself!" exclaimed she, struggling with the tears she could no longer suppress; "but my love and my esteem must go together, and you obliged me to tell you that Mr. Courtenaye has forfeited the last."
"But I can restore it to him," cried Mrs.
