Her countenance fell a little. "Indeed I did not say so, cousin Hester," she explained, though with an embarrassment which made it very evident to me that I was right. "She thought it wrong of you to go away, but it was different after Mr. Southcote told her, and she is so very sorry for you, dear cousin, and says she is sure you are not happy. Oh, indeed it was not at all hard to persuade her to let me come to-day. I am very bold to beg so for an invitation, but I do so wish to come, cousin; you will write?" "It would do me good to have you with me, Flora," I said, sadly; "but I think I have grown very foolish and nervous. I am almost afraid to write to your mamma. I fancy _she_ cannot see anything to excuse me. Happy people are sometimes not the best judges, Flora, and she has never been very wretched, I am sure. And then, what would _he_ say? Nobody can think well of me in Cambridgeshire; and _he_ would not like to have his young bride staying with me. I am sure he would not, Flora." "Say you would rather I did not come, cousin Hester," said Flora, who was nearly crying; "don't say such cruel things as _that_." "Yet they are true," I said; "I know what I have lost, and that few people can think well of me. It will be better not, dear Flora, though it would be a great happiness to me. Now, come here. This was my mother's, and I have sometimes worn it myself. You like to be called like her, Flora. Will you wear it for her sake?" As I spoke I clasped upon her pretty neck the little gold chain, with its diamond pendant, which I had been so proud to wear on that first fated night when I met Harry. She had not yet dried her few bright tears of disappointment and sympathy, and one fell upon the gems, making them all the brighter. She still cried a little as she thanked me. I knew it was a gift to please her greatly, for pretty as it was itself, and valuable, it had an additional charm to her affectionate heart. "And for your sake, cousin--am I not to like it for your sake?" cried Flora; "I love to hear of her--but I love you, your very own self--may I wear it for your sake?"