"It is her way; she can't be other than smooth and caressing, and likes to have young men about; and I try to be grave and distant, because--the sooner he is cured of me the better for him," she uttered, with a sob; "but when he is there, and I see those grieved eyes of his, I can't keep it up! And papa does like him! Oh! if Camilla would but leave us alone! See here, Jenny!" and she showed, on her watch-chain, a bit of ruddy polished pebble. "Is it wrong to keep this? He and I found the stone in two halves, on the beach, the last day we were together, and had them set, pretending to one another it was only play. Sometimes I think I ought to send mine back; I know he has his, he let me see it one day. Do you think I ought to give it up?" "Why should you?" "Because then he would know that it must be all over." "But _is_ it all over? Within, I mean?" "Jenny, you know better!" "Then, Lenore, if so, and it is only your sister who objects, not your father himself, ought you to torment poor Frank by acting indifference when you do not feel it?" "Am I untrue? I never thought of that. I thought I should be sacrificing myself for his good!" "His good? O, Lenore, I believe it is the worst wrong a woman can do a man, to let him think he has wasted his heart upon her, and that she is trifling with him. You don't know what a bad effect this is having, even on his prospects. He cannot get his brain or spirits free to work for his examination." "How hard it is to know what is right! Here have I been thinking that what made me so miserable must be the best for him, and would it not make it all the worse to relax, and let him see?" "I do not think so," returned Jenny. "His spirits would not be worn by doubt of _you_--the worst doubt of all: and he would feel that he had something to strive for." Eleonora walked on for some steps in silence, then exclaimed, "Yes, but there's his family. It would only stir up trouble for them there. They can't approve of me." "They don't know you. When they do, they will. Now they only see what looks like--forgive me, Lena--caprice and coquetry; they will know you in earnest, if you will let them." "You don't mean that they know anything about it!" exclaimed Eleonora. Jenny almost laughed. "Not know where poor Frank's heart is? You don't guess how those sons live with their mother!" "I suppose I have forgotten what sincerity and openness are," said Eleonora, sadly. "But is not she very much vexed?" "She was vexed to find it had gone so deep with him," said Jenny; "but I know that you can earn her affection and trust by being staunch and true yourself--and it is worth having, Lena!"