She had grown up with the passions of a woman--and yet, she had never advanced beyond the fearless and primitive innocence of a child.

Ah, if ever there was a sacred charge confided to any mortal creature, here surely was a sacred charge confided to Me! I could not endure to see the poor pretty blind face turned so insensibly towards mine, after such words as I had just said to her.

She was standing within my reach.

I took her by the arm, and made her sit on my knee.

"My dear!" I said, very earnestly, "you must not go to him again to-day." "I have got so much to say to him," she answered impatiently, "I want to tell him how deeply I feel for him, and how anxious I am to make his life a happier one if I can." "My dear Lucilla! you can't say this to a young man.