156 ANOTHER OLD ACQUAINTANCB.

related that which the reader already knows; perhaps
not in its fullest details—perhaps disguising a little
of his own weakness—but still with that sufficient
adherence to truth as left him guilty. Emmeline
sat with her calm eyes fixed upon him—she did not
speak one word to interrupt him.

“ Thank you, my beloved,” said she, when he had
finished, and when, overcome by emotion, he sank
his face upon his hands, and wept. ‘Thank you,
from this day forth a new covenant is made between
us. We shall neither of us err greatly while we
have courage to face the truth. You have given me
the greatest proof of your love by placing confidence
inme. May God Almighty enable me to make you
happy!” She sank her head on the shoulder of her
husband, and wept with him.

A new era in the life of our married pair might be

dated from this time. Mademoiselle Angela was —

never mentioned between them, but she was the bond
of their better understanding. One thing only embit-
tered Williams's life; that was his falsehood regarding
his father. Often and often he was on the point of
confessing the whole terrible truth, and his own cul-
pable weakness, but then he dared not; she seemed
so happy, she had such faith in him, the knowledge
of this must blast all. It lay like a festering sore on
his soul, and led him only into new difficulties and

deceptions. He dreaded the arrival of letters; his —
wife showed him all hers, and seemed to expect the —

same from him. She was one of those clear-headed,

straightforward women who have a capacity for

business; she took the management of all their pre-
sent affairs into her hands, and her husband, who
had a decided distaste for business of every kind,

St dient“