"That is a strong expression, my dear Huntley," said Mr. Russell.

66

I have been deceived, betrayed!" exclaimed he. "I thought Hannah loved me."

"I thought so too," said the vicar.

66

Then we have both been mistaken. But you, Mr. Russell, have a great deal of influence. An hour ago, I would have scorned to have solicited it, but-"

"You give me too much credit. I believe I have less than you have. But, my dear Huntley, be calm-'

"I never was calmer-I have the calm of despair!—And yet, if I could see her once more, there might be a little to hope-”

"Why not write ?"

"I have written, but she refuses to see me."

66

Then, my dear Huntley, from my knowledge of Hannah's character, I should say that your case is bad. If she has so far conquered her feelings, believe that her principles will carry her through with it. With perfect sincerity I can say that I am sorry for you, for I know—"

"What it is to love Hannah !" interrupted

Huntley.

"I believe you, Mr. Russell, on my

soul! If I had had fair play-"

"What then?" said Mr. Russell, with a look which checked him at once.

"She would have been mine," said Huntley, moodily.

"She would have been yours if you had had fair play-And you believe that I know what it is to-If I do know what it is to love Hannah, Mr. Huntley, who has had fair play?—I have never mentioned the name of love to Hannah: if there has been any supplanting in the case, who was the supplanter?”

"There could be no supplanting," said Huntley, "when no pretensions were supported on your side."

"You either do or do not think me a rival-" "Not an open one."

"Admitted: I have not been. Was it not enough then to expect from a silent one, who saw another step into the place which he had indulged the hope of occupying, that he should remain inactive, and let things take their course?—In such circumstances, not to hate, surely amounted al

most to a virtue. But Huntley, I did more. At first, certainly, I thought your admiration of Hannah sprang merely from your enthusiasm as an artist. I was stupid enough to believe that you merely wished to paint her picture. When I detected the truth, the blow was severe; but having at that time no doubt, but that you were qualified infinitely beyond myself, to make her happy, I smothered my own feelings as I could, and had not the remotest idea of entering into competition with you. Subsequent events led me to suppose that you were not so fitted for each other as had at first appeared. More than I had done, I could not do. Less than I then did, I could not do. Essential as you may think Hannah is to your happiness, I do not think that you would secure hers; and feeling for her as you tell me I feel,— can you wonder, Huntley, that I should shun the office of your advocate ?"

"I cannot," said Huntley, hastily. "You have been a generous rival - you have been kind to me in health and in sickness-but I cannot do justice to you now. You say your interference has not been selfish-doubtless it has been well meaning -though I own I could have dispensed with it-

and I hope you will be happy. You may be more fortunate than I have been, but you cannot love as I have done!"

“Why, Huntley, should not this painful lesson teach you-"

"Excuse me," cried Huntley, colouring, "I am not quite able to bear a lecture now-there is no danger of my forgetting the moral of the lesson."

"You mistake me. I was only going to say that with your mind still sore under this stroke, a very little self-command-"

"Here then we must part," said Huntley, appearing not to hear him, as they reached Mrs. Stokes's gate," the coach will enter Summerfield in half an hour, and my portmanteau is still unpacked. Farewell!"

Mr. Russell shook hands with him with much feeling.

CHAPTER XXII.

HEART BREAKING.

"He is gone!" said Rosina abruptly, as she entered her sister's room.

"Gone!" repeated Hannah.

"Yes, Mrs. Stokes has just told us so. She brought a parcel for mamma; and what do you think it contained? The picture!"

"I hope I shall never see it, said Hannah, shuddering.

"You shall not; do not be afraid. Mamma has locked it up. What a splendid present, and yet, how impossible to look at it without pain!" "And he is quite gone!"

Hannah hid her face in her hands. She could not shed tears. Rosina endeavoured to rouse her, but after several ineffectual attempts, she desisted and left her to herself, thinking that Hannah might perhaps weep when alone.