96 ALL IS NOT GOLD THAT GLITTERS.

could not move, did not at all events, until Fd-
ward was on his knees beside her—until he had
poured forth his affection—had assured her how
. completely she had possessed herself of his re-
spect and admiration; that his feelings towards
‘her not being of that passionate nature which
distracted him with love for Helen, he had not
truly felt her value until the idea of losing her
for ever came upon him; that then he indeed
felt as though all hope of happiness was to be
taken away for ever—felt that he should lose a
friend, one on whose principles and truth he
could rely—felt that in her his all was concen-
trated. It is only those who, having loved long
and hopelessly for years, find that love return-
ed, and at‘the very moment when they were
completely bowed down by the weight of disap-
pointment, can understand what Rose experi-
enced. She did not violate any of the laws of
maiden modesty, because she was pure in heart
and single of purpose; but she was too truth-
ful to withhold the confession of her love, and
too sincere to conceal her happiness.

“I will give youa promise; but receive none,”
said the generous lover. ‘TI should be indeed
miserable if I, for a moment, fancied you were
controlled only by a promise. I rely upon you
solely and entirely ; no matter with what temp-
tations you may be surrounded. If Helen is so
much admired, you must be admired also; but
[I do not fear you will forget me; for now my