He was destined to suffer a fresh pang before the moment of parting came.

Marian turned to him by-and-by with an earnest anxious face, and said,-- "Gilbert, there is something which I think I ought to say to you before you go away." "What is that, my darling ?" "It is rather hard to say.

I fear it will give you pain.

I have been thinking about it for a long time.

The thought has been a constant reproach to me.