"My child," he said solemnly, "God will hear you!" And after those words there was a long silence.

He then drew her passively towards a seat, and sat down by her, embarrassed how to begin.

At length he said, looking somewhat aside, "Mr.Mainwaring has made me a request,--a prayer which relates to you, and which I refer to you.

He asks you to grant him an interview before you leave us,--to-morrow, if you will.

I refused at first,--I am in doubt still; for, my dear, I have always found that when the feelings move us, our duty becomes less clear to the human heart,--corrupt, we know, but still it is often a safer guide than our reason.