He held out his hand to me with the easy, nonchalant air of one who is accustomed to success and popularity. I looked at him with an aversion I could not conceal. The few years since we met has changed him so completely that I almost shuddered at the sight of his already bloated face, and at the air that told of a life worse than wasted. "Do go away, Charles," Amelia repeated. He threw himself into a chair without paying the least attention to her, and still addressing himself to me again, said: "Upon my word, you are prettier than ever," and-- "I will come to see you at another time, Amelia," I said, putting on all the dignity I could condense in my small frame, and rising to take leave. "Don't go, Katy!" he cried, starting up, "don't go. I want to have a good talk about old times." Katy, indeed! How dared he? I came away burning with anger and mortification. Is it possible that I ever loved such a man? That to gratify that love I defied and grieved my dear mother through a whole year! Oh, from what hopeless misery God saved me, when He snatched me out of the depth of my folly! DECEMBER 1.-Ernest says I can go to see Amelia with safety now, as her husband has sprained his ankle, and keeps to his own room. So I am going. But, I am sure, I shall say something imprudent or unwise, and wish I could think it right to stay away. I hope God will go with me and teach me what words to speak. DEC. 2.-I found Amelia more unwell than on my first visit, and she received me again with tears. "How good you are to come so soon," she began. "I did not blame you for running off the other day; Charley's impertinence was shameful. He said, after you left, that he perceived you had not yet lost your quickness to take offence, but I know he felt that you showed a just displeasure, and nothing more." "No, I was really angry," I replied. "I find the road to perfection lies up-hill, and I slip back so often that sometimes I despair of ever reaching the top." "What does the doctor say about me?" she asked. "Does he think me very sick?" "I dare say he will tell you exactly what he thinks," I returned, "if you ask him. This is his rule with all his patients." "If I could get rid of this cough I should soon be myself again," she said. "Some days I feel quite bright and well. But if it were not for my poor little children, I should not care much how the thing ended. With the life Charley leads me, I haven't much to look forward to." "You forget that the children's nurse is in the room," I whispered. "Oh, I don't mind Charlotte. Charlotte knows he neglects me, don't you, Charlotte?" Charlotte was discreet enough to pretend not to hear this question, and Amelia went on: