"Do not say so," replied Mabel, "if you are able to forgive him so easily, you will have much less to suffer; there is nothing so painful as the indulgence of sinful or angry passions." "Mabel," said Lucy, gravely, "you will marry him, of course, and I will try to wish you both happy." "Dear Lucy," replied Mabel, taking her hand kindly, "I am very, very sorry for you, but rely on my friendship if you can, and I, who have suffered as much as you are suffering now, may be some support to you. Do not, for one moment, imagine, that, should Captain Clair ever place it in my power to marry him, I should for an instant think of it. I have told you already, that unhappy circumstances have rendered all thoughts of love repulsive to me, and, even if it were not so, I could not give my affections to one whom I have so long regarded as your lover." "Do you really mean that?" cried Lucy, with the desperation of a drowning man catching at a straw. "I do indeed. Do you think I would trifle with you, when you are in distress. You must not let his unhappy preference prevent your trusting me as much as before, and you must let me guide you till you are strong enough to guide yourself." Lucy flung her arms round her neck, saying heartily-- "You shall do anything you like with me, my own sweet friend; but, oh, there is something wanting in my heart which you have not the power to heal; but let me talk to you for a few minutes--if you understand me, you can better advise me." Mabel was silent, and Lucy, leaning back upon her pillow, and looking fixedly at her, said, after a moment's pause--