But now," he added, covering his face with his hands,--"now, my heart is crushed." "Nay, say not so," cried Viviana, in a voice of the deepest emotion.

"I _do_ love you,--as a sister." "That is small comfort," rejoined Chetham, bitterly.

"I echo your own wish.

Would we had never met again! I might, at least, have deluded myself into the belief that you loved me." "It would have been better so," she returned.

"I would inflict pain on no one--far less on you, whom I regard so much, and to whom I owe so much." "You owe me nothing, Viviana," rejoined Chetham.