"He will tell you that he would do so gladly, but that it is impossible." "But this is not impossible, Fred," cried Laura; "and you are again treating me like a child. Yes, I have begun to think like a woman, and though it may sound shameless I will speak out. Do you think that we do not know that all this is wicked dissipation?" He laughed bitterly, as he pressed his hand to his weary head. "You do not know--you do not know." "Yes," cried Laura, embracing him again; "I know that my poor brother has yielded to some temptation, but I know, too, that it only needs a strong, brave, manly effort to throw it all off; and then we might be happy once more." He took her face between his hands and looked down at her lovingly for a few minutes, then kissed her brow tenderly. "No," he said; "you do not understand, my child. I am not master of my actions now." He hurried from the room. Then she heard the door close, and his footsteps hurrying up the stairs followed by the banging of his door. "Lost, lost!" she wailed; and she threw herself sobbing upon the couch. "Well!" said a sharp voice, and the girl started up and tried hard to remove all traces of her tears. "I did not hear you come in, aunt dear." "Perhaps not, my love, but I have been waiting and listening. Well, what does he say about coming home in that state last night? I'm sure, my dear, that was wine! Is he going to be a good boy now?" Laura uttered a passionate sob. "Oh no, aunt, oh no!" she cried. "Because if he is and will repent very seriously, I may some day, perhaps, forgive him. But I must have full assurance that he is really sorry for all his wickedness. What did he say, child?" "Nothing, aunt. It is hopeless--hopeless." "Then I was right at first. He has gone quite out of his mind, and I fully believe that it is our duty to have him put under restraint." "Aunt!" cried Laura, wildly. "Yes, my dear. That is the only cure for such a complaint as his. A private asylum, Laury dear." "Oh, aunt, impossible! How can you say anything so horrible?" "My dearest child, nothing can be horrible that is to do a person good. It is quite evident to me that he can no longer control his actions." "No, he said so," sobbed Laura.