In my hands it is painted glass; in the luster of a love like yours it may become a priceless jewel." She turned her head away and pondered a moment, then suddenly offered to Mrs.Vane her hand with nobleness and majesty; "Can you trust me ?" The actress too was divinely beautiful now, for her good angel shone through her.
"I could trust you with my life!" was the reply.
"Ah! if I might call you friend, dear lady, what would I not do--suffer--resign--to be worthy that title!" "No, not friend!" cried the warm, innocent Mabel; "sister! I will call you sister.

I have no sister." "Sister!" said Mrs.Woffington.

"Oh, do not mock me! Alas! you do not know what you say.

That sacred name to me, from lips so pure as yours.
Mrs.Vane," said she, timidly, "would you think me presumptuous if I begged you to--to let me kiss you ?" The words were scarce spoken before Mrs.Vane's arms were wreathed round her neck, and that innocent cheek laid sweetly to hers.
Mrs.Woffington strained her to her bosom, and two great hearts, whose grandeur the world, worshiper of charlatans, never discovered, had found each other out and beat against each other.

A great heart is as quick to find another out as the world is slow.
Mrs.Woffington burst into a passion of tears and clasped Mabel tighter and tighter in a half-despairing way.