"Oh!" he exclaimed, and the very sound of his voice betrayed his delight, "I did not expect you for weeks yet." "My aunt is still at Hastings; but I was obliged to leave, the air made me so unwell." "And you never told me." "Why alarm you?" I waited to hear no more I had seen Cornelius leading her away from the window into the back part of the room, and Miriam with a half-smile yielding. I had no wish to be a check upon them, so I rose and slipped upstairs to the studio. I sat down on the couch, trembling with emotion. She was come back, and with her, alas! as the evil train of some dark sorceress, came back all my old feelings. The very sound of her voice had roused them every one. I heard them and listened with terror, for, taught by bitter experience, I knew that, evil in themselves, they could work me nothing but evil. I remembered with a sickening heart all the bitterness which had been raised between Cornelius and me,--his angry looks, his chiding, our separation. I remembered also his goodness in bringing me back, his generosity in asking me for no promise of amendment, but in trusting to my good feeling and good sense, and throwing myself on God, as on Him who alone could assist me in this extremity of human weakness, I felt rather than uttered a passionate prayer for aid,--a cry for strength to resist temptation. I had not long been in the studio, when the door opened and the lovers entered. I believe Cornelius was a little apprehensive as to how I might behave to Miriam, for rather hurriedly leading her to the easel, "See how hard I have been working," he said: "in the absence of Medora, I took to the Gipsy Family." "You mean to the Stolen Child: where is she?" "Here I am, Miss Russell." I replied in a low tone. I was now standing by her, and as I spoke I slipped my hand into hers. She started as if some noxious insect had touched her; but as Cornelius had seen this action of mine, she smiled and said-- "Do you really give me your hand? The next thing will be a kiss, I suppose." I thought she was asking me to kiss her. I conquered my repugnance, and raised my face; she hesitated, then stooped, but her lips never touched my cheek. "Daisy and I are quite friends now, you see," she observed, turning to Cornelius. "Yes, I see," he replied, looking charmed. "I always told you these childish feelings would pass away," she continued, laying her hand on my head. He smiled in her face, a happy, admiring smile. "Resume your work," she said, sitting down; "Miss O'Reilly has asked me to spend the day." "But not here, Miriam; think of the smell of the paint." "I do not feel it yet, so pray go on with that Stolen Child. What wonderful sweetness and pathos you have put in her face!"