"Sorry!" I repeated, hardly knowing what I said, "why should that grieve you?" I should not have asked such a question; and, as soon as I had done so, I perceived the mistake I had made. She offered no reply to it; but sate down upon the bank; and rested her head upon her hands. An expression had come over her countenance, unmistakeably of a painful character; and I could see that her eyes were fast filling with tears. "Surely this girl loves me? And surely I could love her?" I know not how these two mental interrogatories were answered. I only know that, instead of rejoicing in the knowledge that I had gained her love, I was made miserable by the thought. I raised her to her feet; and allowed her head to rest upon my shoulder. "Miss H--," said I, "can it be that you show so much emotion, merely at parting with a friend?" "Ah!" she replied, "I have thought of you as a friend; but such a one as I never knew before. My life has been lonely. We are here, as you know, shut out from all intercourse with the world. We can form but few friendships. Yours has been to me like some unknown joy of life. You have been my only thought, since I first saw you." "You must try to forget me--to forget that we have ever met; and I will try to forget you. _I should_ only think of you as a friend!" For a second she stood gazing upon me in silence. Then tremblingly put the question: "You love another?" "I do, although I love without hope. It is one who can never be mine-- one I may, perhaps, never see again. She and I were playmates when young. I fancied she loved me; but she did not: she has married another." "How very strange! To me it seems impossible!" The artless innocence of these observations, proved the purity of the mind from which they could emanate. "And yet," continued she, "for one who has acted in that manner, you can still feel love?" "Alas! such is my unfortunate fate." "Oh! sir, if you but knew the heart you are casting away from you!--its truth--its devotion and constancy--you would never leave me; but stay here and be happy. You would learn to love me. You could not hate one, who loves you as I can; and will to the end of my life!" I could make no reply to this speech. Sweet as it might have been to the ears of some, I listened to it only with pain. I scarce knew either what to say, or do; and I was only relieved, from my painful embarrassment, when our steps brought us back to the house. I loved Lenore for what she had been; and regarded her now as lost--as dead; yet I determined to remain true to her. My affections were not wandering fancies--finding a home wherever circumstances might offer it. I could "love but one." Jessie H--was beautiful, innocent, and affectionate; but all these qualities could not conquer my love for Lenore; and honour commanded me to depart speedily from her presence. Shortly after entering the house, she retired to her own room; and I saw no more of her for the night.