The effect produced by his words had been far more painful than was anticipated; and he felt troubled when he thought about what might be their ultimate effects.
On the fifth day, as the young man was walking with Catharine Linmore, he came suddenly face to face with Edith.

There was a change in her that startled him.

She looked at him, in passing, but gave no signs of recognition.
"Wasn't that Miss Walter ?" inquired the companion of Edwin, in a tone of surprise.
"Yes," replied Florence.
"What's the matter with her?
Has she been sick?
How dreadful she looks!" "I never saw her look so bad," remarked the young man.

As they walked along, Miss Linmore kept alluding to Edith, whose changed appearance had excited her sympathies.
"I've met her only a few times," said she, "but I have seen enough of her to give me a most exalted opinion of her character.

Some one called her very plain; but I have not thought so.