Oh, how eagerly Ella sprang forward to meet him, and burying her face in his bosom, she sobbed like a child.
"Hush, Ella, this is foolish," said he; and then seating her in a chair, he asked, "why he was sent for." "I was afraid,--afraid you might think I did not love you now," answered Ella.
"I could not blame you if you did not," said Henry.

"Matters have changed since we last met, and I am not mean enough to expect you to keep your engagement." "But if _I_ expect it,--If _I_ wish it ?" asked Ella, raising her tear-wet eyes to his face.
"You are excited now," said he, "but in a few days you'll thank me for my decision.

An alliance with poverty could be productive of nothing but unhappiness to you; and while I thank you for your unselfish love, I cannot accept it, for I am determined that, so long as I am poor, I shall never marry; and the sooner you forget me, the better, for, Ella, I am not deserving of your love." Then, with a cold adieu, he left her; and when, half an hour afterwards, Mary entered the parlor, she found her sister lying upon the sofa, perfectly motionless, except when a tremor of anguish shook her slight frame.

A few words explained all, and taking her head in her lap, Mary tried to soothe her.

But Ella refused to be comforted; and as she seemed to prefer being alone, Mary ere long left her, and bent her steps towards Mr.Lincoln's dwelling, which presented a scene of strange confusion.