“A judge never listened to a pleading with more dignified patience than she did to my appeal. She even waited when I had concluded, as it were to allow of my continuing, had I been so minded; when, seeing that I had closed my argument, she quietly turned about, and facing the road we had just been travelling, pointed to the bleak, bare mountain on which Barnagheela stood. 'It was yonder, then, that you caught up this lesson, sir. The admirable success of Mr. Magennis's experiment has seduced you!' “'Good heavens! Kate,' cried I-- “'Sir,' said she, drawing herself proudly up, 'you are continuing the parallel too far.' “'But Miss Henderson cannot for a moment believe--' “'I can believe a great deal, sir, of what even Mr. Massingbred would class with the incredible; but, sir, there are certain situations in life which exact deference, from the very fact of their humility. Mine is one of these, and I am aware of it.' “'Will you not understand me aright?' cried I, eagerly. 'In offering to share my fortune in life with you--' “'Pray, sir, let this stop here. Poor Joan, I have no doubt, felt all the grandeur of _her_ elevation, and was grateful even in her misery. But _I_ should not do so. I am one of those who think that the cruellest share in a _mésalliance_ is that of the humbler victim. To brave such a fate, there should be all the hopeful, sanguine sense of strong affection; and, as a reserve to fall back on in reverses, there should be an intense conviction of the superiority over others of him from whom we accept our inferiority. Now, in my case, these two conditions are wanting. I know you like frankness, and I am frank.' “'Even to cruelty,' said I. “'We are very near Cro' Martin, sir, and I think we ought to part,' said she, calmly. “'And is it thus you would have us separate? Have I nothing to hope from time,--from the changes that may come over your opinions of me?' “'Calculate rather on the alterations in your own sentiments, Mr. Massingbred; and perhaps the day is not very distant when you will laugh heartily at yourself for the folly of this same morning,--a folly which might have cost you dearly, sir, for I might have said, Yes.' “'Would that you had!' “'Good-bye, sir,' said she, not noticing my interruption, 'and remember that, if I should ever need it, I have a strong claim on your gratitude. Good-bye!' “She did not give me her hand at parting, but waved it coldly towards me as she went. And so she passed the little wicket, and entered the dark woods of the demesne, leaving me in a state wherein the sense of bewilderment alone prevailed over all else.