In due time, Miss Weldon arrived.

In meeting her, Florence was conscious of a feeling of embarrassment, never before experienced in her presence.

He understood clearly why this was so.
At each successive visit his embarrassment increased; and, the more so, from the fact that he perceived a change in Clara ere she had been in the city a week.

As to the cause of this change, he had no doubts.

It was evident that Mrs.Hartley had communicated certain matters touching his previous history.
Thus it went on day after day, for two or three weeks, by which time the lovers met under the influence of a most chilling constraint.
Both were exceedingly unhappy.
One day, in calling as usual, Mr.Florence was surprised to learn that Clara had gone back to Albany.
"She said, nothing of this last night," remarked the young man to Mrs.Hartley.
"Her resolution was taken after you went away," was replied.
"And you, no doubt, advised the step," said Mr.Florence, with ill-concealed bitterness.
"Why do you say that ?" was quickly asked.
"How can I draw any other inference ?" said the young man, looking at her with knit brows.
"Explain yourself, Mr.Florence!" "Do my words need explanation ?" "Undoubtedly! For, I cannot understand them." "There are events in my past life--I will not say how bitterly repented--of which only you could have informed her." "What events ?" calmly asked the lady.
"Why lacerate my feelings by such a question ?" said Florence, while a shadow of pain flitted over his face, as Memory presented a record of the past.
"I ask it with no such intention.