"If I only had myself to think of--" Her voice failed her.

A new life came into his eyes, the colour rose in his haggard face: even those few faltering words had encouraged him! She tried again to make him understand her.

"I am so afraid of distressing you, Ovid; and I am so anxious not to make mischief between you and your mother--" "What has my mother to do with it ?" She went on, without noticing the interruption.

"You won't think me ungrateful?
We had better speak of something else.

Only this evening, your mother sent for me, and--don't be angry!--I am afraid she might be vexed if she knew what you have been saying to me.