“How will you meet Raymond after this escapade?” said she, sadly. “Nonsense, Sophie, how will he meet _me_?” and she ran up stairs. “Be quick, dear, trying Hagar, tea is nearly ready,” said Sophie, gazing earnestly after her—then with a second thought, inspired by this second and closer glance, Sophie went up stairs to her room, found her standing leaning her elbow on her dressing-table, while her forehead rested upon the palm of her hand, and her long glittering ringlets fell half way to her girdle—her little figure was visibly throbbing with emotion. Sophie went and took the hand that was hanging down; it was burning, hot, and dry. “Hagar!” “Well?” “You are wretched, poor child, and indeed I do not wonder. Hagar, will you take my advice?” “What is it?” “_Tell_ your husband when you meet him that you are so—_you_ have sinned, Hagar, and _you_ must atone for your sin; lay your small hand gently on his arm, and look into his face, catch his eyes, and ask him to forgive you.” “WHAT!” snapped the proud girl, bounding like a little bombshell; “hold out my wrists humbly for the gyves, and ask my master please to fasten them on again! No! may I die if I do!” “Oh! don’t look at it in that light, Hagar; you have wronged, outraged, insulted Raymond.” “Did he tell you so?” sneered Hagar. “Can I not see it, Hagar? No, he did not tell me so—do you not know enough of Raymond’s proud and fastidious nature to see that he _could_ not tell me so, Hagar? No, poor misguided child, your day’s absence was enough. Come, Hagar, seek a reconciliation with him—you _have_ been wrong—say so to him at once. You will have not a moment’s peace until you are reconciled to your husband—seek that reconciliation at any price of your own sinful pride.” “I will not! cannot!” “But, Hagar, you _do_ regret this, you suffer torture.” “I can _bear_ torture! but not humiliation! degradation!” “Alas! look at you, the very flame of mental fever flickering through your cheeks and eyes—the freshness of your lips scorched by the dry heat of your breath. What a day you have had to-day, Hagar! how much your defiance has cost you! Come, come, bathe your eyes; after tea I will, if I can, talk with you again. You will be wise.”