She always pronounced that name hesitatingly, for she doubted the girl who had shown so little sympathy for her lover. Did Paul doubt her, too? Possibly, although he made every excuse for her, while the hunger in his heart grew more and more intense to see her and hear her say she loved him and would one day be his wife if he were ever free from the taint upon his name. If he had killed Jack by accident, as so many believed, he would never have thought of offering her his love a second time; but he had _not_ killed Jack, and there was nothing but the disgrace of his arrest and trial, and, perhaps, punishment, standing between them. Would she overlook all that, as he would have done had she been in his place? He hoped so, and waited anxiously the return of Elithe. “Will she come?” he repeated, and, sitting down beside him, Elithe told him the particulars of her interview with Clarice, while Paul listened without a word or a sign that he heard or cared. “Thank you, Elithe,” he said, when she finished, and, getting up, began to walk the room rapidly. She knew he wanted to be alone, and, bidding him good-bye, went out and left him with his sorrow and disappointment. The next morning was dark and gloomy, as November days are apt to be, and there were very few passengers on the boat, and only the express and hackmen were on the wharf when the Ralston carriage drew up with Mrs. Percy and Clarice in it. This was Paul’s suggestion. He would have every possible attention paid to Clarice and had asked that their carriage be sent for her. Tom, who drove it, was civil,—nothing more,—for he despised the selfish girl who had shown so little heart for Paul. He bought their tickets and saw their baggage checked, and then, without a word, was turning to leave, when Clarice took his hand and said, “Tom, I know where he is. Elithe told me. I couldn’t see him, believing what I do, but I am sorry,—oh, so sorry. Tell him so, and give him my love.” Tom bowed and walked away, thinking it doubtful if he gave the message to Paul. “I want him to forget her,” he said; “want him to see the difference between her and that other one who has stood by him so nobly. God bless her!”