"I haven't the heart to dance," said Hetty, turning suddenly away. Her eyes brimmed with sudden tears. "Poor little girl! how could I be so thoughtless as to suppose she would care to dance," thought Margaret. "All her thoughts must be occupied with this terrible trial--Robert told me that she would be the principal witness. Poor little thing." Margaret stretched out her hand impulsively and grasped Hetty's. "I feel for you--I quite understand you," she said. Her voice trembled with deep and full sympathy. "I see that you are suffering a great deal, but you will be better afterward--you ought to go away afterward--you will want change." "I would rather stay at home, please, Miss Douglas." "Well, I won't worry you. Here is Mr. Awdrey. You have not danced once, Hetty. Would you not like to have a dance with the Squire, just for luck? Yes, I see you would. Robert, come here." "What is it?" asked Awdrey. "Oh, is that you, Hetty? I have not forgotten our dance." "Dance with her now, Robert," said Margaret. "There is a waltz just striking up--I will meet you presently on the terrace." Margaret crossed the lawn, and Awdrey gave his arm to Hetty. She turned her large gaze upon him for a moment, her lips trembled, she placed her hand on his arm. "Yes, I will dance with him once," she said to herself. "It will please me--I am doing a great deal for him, and it will strengthen me--to have this pleasure. Oh, I hope, I do hope I'll be brave and silent, and not let the awful pain at my heart get the better of me. Please, God, help me to be true to Mr. Robert." "Come, Hetty, why won't you talk?" said the Squire; he gave her a kindly yet careless glance. They began to waltz, but Hetty had soon to pause for want of breath. "You are not well," said Awdrey; "let me lead you out of the crowd. Here, let us sit the dance out under this tree; now you are better, are you not?" "Yes, sir; oh, yes, Mr. Robert, I am much better now." She panted as she spoke. "How pale you are," said Awdrey, "and you used to be such a blooming, rosy little thing. Well, never mind," he added hastily, "I ought not to forget that you have a good deal to worry you just now. You must try to keep up your courage. All you have to do to-morrow when you go into court is to tell the entire and exact truth." "You don't mean me to do that, you can't," said Hetty. She opened her eyes and gave a wild startled glance. The next moment her whole face was covered with confusion. "Oh, what have I said?" she cried, in consternation. "Of course, I will tell the exact and perfect truth." "Of course," said Awdrey, surprised at her manner. "You will be under oath, remember." He stood up as he spoke. "Now let me take you to your aunt." "One moment first, Mr. Robert; I'd like to ask you a question." "Well, Hetty, what is it?" said the young man, kindly. Hetty raised her eyes for a moment, then she lowered them.