of the cursed passages with which this relic of popery abounds?"
"I give you my honour."
"Trash!" exclaimed Johnstone, his black brow growing yet blacker with rage at the delay. "Behold yonder window—lead the lady thither; I can there see, though I hear you not. So courtly a gallant as yourself knows how to whisper."
"Doubtless," said Evelyn, acknowledging the compliment by bowing low; and, advancing to Francesca, he led her towards the window. Precious as the time was, he nevertheless hesitated when the gloomy shadow of Major Johnstone fell between the two.
"I give you but ten minute? and four are gone;" and again he withdrew out of ear-shot.
"Yes, I must speak; and though I do not—cannot hope for your forgiveness, I must tell you, Francesca, how cruelly you have been deceived. I cannot die with a lie on my soul; but I am not he whom you take me for."
Francesca gazed into his face. She thought the shock of his situation had bewildered his reason; but he met her look calmly—firmly, and continued:
"It was my brother that you met in Italy; our likeness is so great, that apart we are often mis-
