I am no longer what I was to you." "Press this matter no further, I pray of you," returned Viviana, in much confusion, and blushing deeply.

"I shall ever esteem you,--ever feel the warmest gratitude to you.

And what matters it whether my heart is estranged from you or not, since I can never wed you ?" "What matters it ?" repeated the young merchant, in accents of despair,--"it matters much.

Drowning love will cling to straws.

The thought that I was beloved by you, though I could never hope to possess your hand, reconciled me in some degree to my fate.