"Wait a few minutes," he pleaded; "it's so long since we have
seen each other."

The tone in which he spoke warned her to persist in leaving him
while her resolution remained firm. "I had arranged with Mrs.
MacEdwin," she began, "if all went well--"

"Speak of yourself," he interposed. "Tell me if you are happy."

She let this pass without a reply. "The doctor sees no harm," she
went on, "in my being away for a few hours. Mrs. MacEdwin has
offered to send me here in the evening, so that I can sleep in
Kitty's room."

"You don't look well, Sydney. You are pale and worn--you are not
happy."

She began to tremble. For the second time, she turned away to
take up her cloak. For the second time, he stopped her.

"Not just yet," he said. "You don't know how it distresses me to
see you so sadly changed. I remember the time when you were the
happiest creature living. Do you remember it, too?"

"Don't ask me!" was all she could say.

He sighed as he looked at her. "It's dreadful to think of your
young life, that ought to be so bright, wasting and withering
among strangers." He said those words with increasing agitation;