“Yet believe me when I utter these true and honest words, that, disowned as I am by a cold, cold world, and looked upon with suspicion, my soul is as free from guilt as it ever was in the sight of God, and the only tie that keeps me in the world, the only regret I should have in quitting it, is the contemplation of one I adore with all the power of my mind and soul.” Charles kissed her hand again and rose to depart. “Stay,” said Clara, speaking for the first time, slowly, and almost in a whisper; “However unintelligible your character is, or may have been, to others, Mr. Warbeck, I have always looked upon you as a friend, and confess it openly everywhere, Charles. “Were the world to be ten times as cold as it is towards you, I should never, never change, believe me.” This little outburst of honest feeling was too much for Clara’s feelings. She endeavoured to conceal her tears, but they coursed down her cheeks thick and fast until her breast heaved with emotion, and she audibly sobbed. She rose in a hasty manner to leave the room. Charley was fired with love, and caught her to his heart. And she leaned her little head upon his shoulder confidingly, nor did she struggle or resist the many kisses he rapturously bestowed upon her, but sat on the sofa by his side. And in a long conversation, carried on in whispers, the only two words which Dame Worthington slyly overheard were, “_Will_ you, Clara?” “Yes, Charles.” GIVEN AWAY!! SCENES, SHEETS OF CHARACTERS, AND A LARGE STAGE FRONT FOR A NEW PLAY, CALLED “ALONE IN THE PIRATES’ LAIR.” _READ THE “BOYS OF ENGLAND,”_ AND SECURE THE ABOVE MAGNIFICENT GIFTS. ONE PENNY WEEKLY. [Illustration: THE REPRIEVE.] CHAPTER XXVIII. MATRIMONY AND HAPPINESS. Dame Worthington was delighted—Sir Richard Warbeck was delighted—every one in fact was delighted to hear it whispered that Charley and Clara Haylark were engaged. Mistress Haylark was indignant! She would not listen to any such proposition, and moved to and fro with an air of offended majesty! Dame Worthington tried to console the proud woman, but she would listen to no words of solace. She had “made up her mind against the match,” and the only one living fit to be Clara’s husband, she said, was that nice young man Mr. Augustus Fumbleton. Since her mother was extremely angry, Clara’s life was anything but agreeable to her. For morning, noon, and night, Madame was harping upon the rumoured match, and spoke against it with inexhaustible eloquence. Miss Clara, however, took but little notice of her mother’s ceaseless prattle about the dignity, grandeur, and importance of “the Haylark’s,” but quietly bore all with meekness and resignation, and loved Charley more and more for all the railings hourly thrown out against him. As Sir Richard had been fully informed of the true state of things by Dame Worthington, he sought an opportunity of speaking to Clara alone.