“‘Mr. Heartsell, I think, is a very nice, good man, and worthy of a true woman’s love; but I had no heart for him, because you, like a good old thief, went and stole it. I felt highly honored by Mr. Heartsell’s partiality, and told him so; but I thought it my duty to tell him the truth at once, which I did. I told him my hand and heart belonged to another. Poor fellow! he wept when I told him I loved another, and could not love him. He said he would not give me up, but would wait until I should think better of him; and he seemed to think that I would change my mind and love him after all; but don’t you know that I can never change?’ “‘I can’t express my admiration, Lottie, for your extraordinary prudence; not one girl in a hundred would have taken the proper view in such an emergency. Of course you did right to tell Mr. Heartsell the whole truth; most girls under similar circumstances would have evaded the truth, and left the man a reasonable hope.’ “‘By the by, have you ever mentioned our engagement to brother Harry?’ “‘Oh, yes, I named it to him before I did to any one else.’ “‘And what did he think of it?’ “‘He was glad of it--said it was just what he expected and desired--congratulated me heartily--said I was a lucky fellow to be the winner of such a heart--said he knew you loved me, all the time--told me that if ever I caused you trouble he would kill me--and, to tell you the truth, Lottie, I believe he would kill any one who would bring trouble on you.’ “‘Oh, he is such a noble, generous, heroic brother! Viola loves him, and I hope they will make a match of it.’ “‘Ah, Lottie, that will never happen.’ “‘May I know the reason why you think so?’ “‘Viola is a great heiress, and you know how proud Harry is; no matter how much he might love her, he would never tell her of it. Do you know that I think the only fault Harry has is his unprecedented pride? I have been acquainted with many proud men, but there is something in Harry’s pride that places it beyond anything I ever have witnessed in other people. No, Lottie, let me advise you not to build your pyramid of hopes on a foundation of that sort.’ “‘Is Mr. Bramlett very wealthy?’ “‘Mr. Rockland tells me that he is a millionaire, and you know he has only two children.’ “‘Then I must confess that I don’t think Harry would be doing exactly right were he to seek Viola’s hand in marriage. If that’s what you refer to when you speak of his pride, I am fully prepared to indorse it.’ “The dreadful day for my departure had come at last; the awful moment in which I was to part from Lottie had come and gone. The parting words had been uttered--the bitter tears had been shed, the farewell kiss given; the long, loving embrace was over. I had handed dear Lottie, fainting, into Mrs. Rockland’s arms, and was on my way to Philadelphia.” CHAPTER XII.