“Catherine! I think—I hope that I have succeeded at last in emancipating myself from the degrading slavery of that old love spell! At last the dread sense of bereavement and desolation is deadened.... If I were to see him again, however, I do not know how it might be.... Perhaps, though, I shall never see him again.... Kate! I have had a proposal for marriage.... My cousin Major Cabell!... It was at least generous in him, all things considered.... Family feeling, I suppose.... Kate, I think of accepting him!... We owe something to our position in society.... My Aunt Cabell has been talking to me about it for a month past.” Miss Clifton made this communication in a hesitating, disjointed manner; while Catherine looked and listened in grief and astonishment, feeling regret amounting almost to remorse, that she had left her friend, enfeebled in mind and body, so long under the influence of a strong-willed thoroughly worldly-minded woman. And she understood the instinct that had impelled the wavering girl to send for _her_ to steady her. And then athwart these, her purest emotions, swept a dark, burning impulse, like a breath of hell. It was the whisper of the devil, and it said to her,—“Agree with her—agree with her! Let her marry another if she wishes, and thus remove the greatest impediment that separates you from the love, the hope of Archer Clifton.” Catherine stood for a moment horrified by the darkness of the temptation. But then summoning the whole strength of her soul, she inwardly exclaimed, “Get thee behind me, Satan!” And the devil fled from her. “You do not answer me, Catherine. My dear girl, I have so much confidence in your rectitude of mind! Advise me!” “Dear Miss Clifton, _never_, as you value your whole life’s peace and rectitude—_never_, for any purpose whatever—under any temptation whatever—consent to marry a man you do not love; _never_, as you hope for earthly content—as you trust in God—_never_ put an insurmountable object between yourself and one you love! How criminal to become a wife, while you love another living man! How terrible to find out, when it is too late, that he loves you still! Perhaps from year to year to long for the—! Lady, I have no words strong enough to express to you all that I feel and fear on this subject! Grave faults sometimes follow little errors! I would fain gain your promise not to entertain any gentleman’s suit until you have met again with Captain Clifton. You cannot have long to wait. He _must_ return to settle up this estate. And legal business, if nothing else, must bring you together!” “Alas! alas! no! the affairs of this property will be settled by his attorney. Kate, I am very miserable!” “Dear lady, I know it! Do not, when tempted by hopelessness, do that which you may regret all your life! That which may shut out the possibility of happiness forever! I wish I could go to Richmond with you.” “Oh, I wish you could! I think that you could save me from danger, Kate.”