Before he could open his lips, or put out a hand to detain her, she had rushed from the room. Clarence Vaughan gazed after the flying form in speechless grief and amazement. Then flinging himself into a chair, he bowed his head upon his hands in sorrowful meditation. Sitting thus he did not perceive the approach of some one, who laid a hand lightly upon his bowed head, murmuring: "Blind! blind! blind!" Starting up, he saw the face of Mrs. Ralston bending toward him and wearing an expression of mingled compassion and amusement. "Forgive me," she said, her countenance resuming its usual gravity. "I was in the library, and heard all. I listened willfully, too, for I have been observing you and Claire, and I want to help you." Clarence dropped disconsolately back in his chair. "If you have heard all," he said, "you know that it is useless to try to help me." Mrs. Ralston laughed outright. "If you were not blind you would not need my help," she said. "As it is, you do." "Mrs. Ralston, what do you mean?" "I mean that your battle is half won. If you will explain to me one half her words, I will explain to you the other half." "You are laughing at me," he said, wearily. "What can you explain?" "That ridiculous girl commanded you to bestow your love upon some more worthy object; some one who was living for others; or some such words. Whom did she mean, may I ask?" He started up as if inspired by a new thought. "I see!" he exclaimed; "She must have meant--a very dear friend of hers." He could not say the name that was in his thought. It would sound like egotism. "That is sufficient," said the lady. "Now, I am going to betray Claire, as she has betrayed this other one. You foolish fellow, can't you see that the child loves you and is striving to do a Quixotic thing by giving you up to her friend? Think over her words and manner, and don't take her at her bidding. If this other, to whom Claire commands you to turn, is a true woman, she would not thank you for the offer of a preoccupied heart." "She is a true woman," said Clarence, emphatically. "And as dear to me as a sister could be, but--" "Then let her be a sister still," said Mrs. Ralston, quietly. "And don't lose any time in persuading Claire that she is wronging herself as well as you; and that you would be wronging still more this friend whom you both love, were you to offer her so pitiful a thing as a hand without a heart. She is a true woman, you say. If so, she would never forgive that. Believe me, Dr. Vaughan, there are even worse depths of sorrow than to have loved worthily--and lost." Mrs. Ralston turned and went softly from the room. For a few moments, Clarence Vaughan stood wrapped in thought. Then his face became illuminated as he said, half aloud: "What a fool I have been, that I should have so misunderstood that dear girl! Oh, I can be patient now, and bide my time."