Somehow some college scrapes of his flashed into his head, and he had a bewildered idea the she had found them out and that her sweet rigid innocence was shocked, and she was about to call him to account.
But Charlotte continued, raising her eyes, and meeting his gravely and fairly: "You've been coming here three Sabbath evenings running, now," said she.
"Yes, I know I have, Charlotte." "And you mean to keep on coming, if I don't say anything to hinder it ?" "You know I do, Charlotte," replied Thomas, with ardent eyes upon her face.
"Then," said Charlotte, "I feel as if it was my duty to say this to you, Thomas.

If you come in any other way than as a friend, if you come on any other errand than friendship, you must not come here any more.

It isn't right for me to encourage you, and let you come here and get your feelings enlisted.

If you come here occasionally as a friend in friendship I shall be happy to have you, but you must not come here with any other hopes or feelings." Charlotte's solemnly stilted words, and earnest, severe face chilled the young man opposite.

His face sobered.