I will at once, and frankly admit, that I love Alizon; and loving her, you may rest assured I would sacrifice my life a thousand times rather than endanger her happiness.

But there is a point in her history, with which if you were acquainted, it might alter your view of the case; but this is not the season for its disclosure, neither, I am bound to say, does the circumstance so materially alter the apparent posture of affairs as to remove all difficulty.

On the contrary, it leaves an insurmountable obstacle behind it." "Are you wise, then, in going on ?" asked Nicholas.
"I know not," answered Richard, "but I feel as if I were the sport of fate.

Uncertain whither to turn for the best, I leave the disposition of my course to chance.

But, alas!" he added, sadly, "all seems to point out that this meeting with Alizon will be my last." "Well, cheer up, lad," said Nicholas.