t see for one thing that my step mother hates me hke poison and that miss mary shares her views it is probable indeed he continued that they have been communicated to you by word of mouth already indeed indeed they have not she answered earnestly how could it have been so it would have been as of your people to speak against you to me as it would have been painful to me to listen it would have been ungrateful in me too she added after a moment s hesitation you are grateful for very small things miss dart consideration and kindness to one in my position are not small things she spoke with genuine feeling but perhaps she would not have expressed herself so warmly but for the of the occasion i am happy indeed he said if i have been the means of making you feel more at home in this most uncomfortable house there are circumstances into which there is no need to enter which as i have hinted make an engagement between and my sister very desirable they do not affect me of course but my father when you told me tonight what were your orders from mrs they were sealed ones she put in promptly it was a of duty to reveal them on the other hand i thought i was safe with you � that is do not the phrase he interrupted earnestly you are always safe with me for the moment it struck me that it would be a of my duty not to inform my of mrs s plan to his wishes but i find � t so dutiful as i thought i was there are other con for one thing i would not be the cause of on into trouble for twenty a you are very kind murmured miss dart there can be no hard and fast laid down for one s conduct in these matters he continued both you and i must be governed by circumstances the attentions of this young gentleman for example it is obvious must not be encouraged pardon me they must not be major interrupted the firmly whatever influence i may possess let me say once for all will be used to them you have plenty of pluck i must say exclaimed the major but this is a very one sided arrangement my scruples it seems are to be ignored while yours are to be respected how very like a woman i have the weaknesses of my sex no doubt she answered i acknowledge that you have reason in what you say unhappily it is not in my power � as it lies in yours � to be generous in this particular case my conduct in short like the second pig in the show is highly commended but not to be rewarded i have unfortunately no reward to nay but you have indeed interrupted the major eagerly may i tell you what it is he was gazing into her eyes but she did not dare withdraw them it was somehow borne in upon her that it was necessary to meet his gaze with one as firm and though her heart beat fast and her limbs trembled under her she did bo to show the least alarm at what he was about to say she felt would be with danger though she scarce knew of what you have just told me he said with earnest gentleness but with a rapid change of expression in his face which did not escape her and which somehow suggested that he had at first intended to say something else that you cannot be generous to me i do not ask for generosity but if i have really laid you under any obligation as you seem to think i ask you in return for justice will you do me justice indeed i will if you will tell me how the opportunity has not as you have just reminded me yet occurred but it will occur you will hear me ill spoken of my conduct to others my conduct even to yourself will be distorted � � a yery contrary of what it has been i x x fc si the heir of the ages en all black and you will be required to recognise the portrait now heaven that i no than other men but i ask you to believe that i have my white points � that i am at worst like farmer jones s horse we admired so to day � i will think of you as and admire you as much as i can said miss dart smiling it was not at all a laughing matter as she well knew but there are occasions even of great moment when it is well to smile above all things he continued without noticing the lightness of her the cause of which indeed he probably well understood i would ask you when you are so good as to waste a thought on me to use your own judgment and not that of other people and when inclined to blame make allowance for me as the judge did for the poor dogs we saw upon the downs to day do this and we shall be i will certainly do that said miss dart earnestly good night good night he pushed open the door which had not been closed during their interview and held up his finger for silence it was a gesture she did not like for it suggested something yet she could hardly take notice of it he remained in the hall watching her as she went upstairs and as she turned the last comer waved his hand and smiled at the same moment she heard a door close in the neighbourhood of mrs s room she felt the colour burn in her cheek as she hurried to her own apartment innocent of harm she was not indifferent to the of 