"Nay, nay, John, I have refused the one, I am resolved not to wed the
other."

There was a painful pause for a minute or two, but at length Manners
spoke. His voice trembled and betrayed the depth of his feelings
plainly.

"'Tis a hard choice, Doll," he said, "but you must choose betwixt
Haddon and me. If you say me nay, I shall lose you."

"Wait, John, you can trust me?" she sobbed.

"Aye, that I can," he returned, tenderly; "but the flower is
withering, and will soon be gone. This face was not so pale nor yet
so thin before. Dorothy, I cannot see thee droop like this before my
eyes."

"You can trust me," she replied; "then wait awhile."

"And then; what then?"

"If they are against us then, I will do thy will and go with thee."

"Nay, Doll, I should lose thee, and that would break my heart; it must
be yes or no, there is no other way of escape."

Dorothy bowed her head upon his shoulders while the tears ran freely
down her cheeks, and Manners stood over her, his breast heaving in
fierce thrills of mingled emotions.