ALL IS NOT GOLD THAT GLITTERS. 89

when she defends a woman, as, if she be either
good or wise, she will always do.

Rose did not know enough of human nature
to understand that the more Edward complain-
ed of Helen’s conduct and desertion, the less he
really felt it; and the generous portion of his
own nature sympathised with the very generos-
ity which he argued against. He had found
one, who while she listened sweetly and patient-
ly to his complaints, vindicated, precisely as he
would have desired, the idol of his heart’s first
love. What we love appears so entirely our
own, that we question the right of others to
blame it, whatever we may do ourselves. If he
had known the deep, the treasured secret that
poor Rose concealed within the sanctuary of her
bosom, he would have wondered at the unosten-
tatious generosity of her pure and simple nature.

‘¢ It is evident,’’ said Rose Dillon to herself,
when she bade Edward adieu; ‘it is quite evi-
dent he never will or can love another. Such
affection is everlasting.’”? How blind she was!
‘*Poor fellow! he will either die in the flower
of his age of a broken heart, or drag on a mis-
erable existence! And if he does,” questioned
the maiden, “and if he does, what is that to
me?’ She did not, for a moment or two, trust
herself to frame an answer, though the tell-
tale blood, first mounting to and then receding
from her cheek, replied ; but then she began to
calculate how long she had known Edward,