`Then why do you give way to these fits of melancholy?' inquired Nicholas, in his kindest manner; `or why not tell us the cause? You grow a different creature, Smike.'

`I do; I know I do,' he replied. `I will tell you the reason one day, but not now. I hate myself for this; you are all so good and kind. But I cannot help it. My heart is very full;--you do not know how full it is.'

He wrung Nicholas's hand before he released it; and glancing, for a moment, at the brother and sister as they stood together, as if there were something in their strong affection which touched him very deeply, withdrew into his chamber, and was soon the only watcher under that quiet roof.