`And how was she?' I eagerly asked.

`As usual,' was the brief though sad reply.

`As usual--that is, far from happy and far from strong.'

`She is not positively ill,' returned he; `and she will recover her spirits in a while I have no doubt--But so many trials have been almost too much for her. How threatening those clouds look!' continued he, turning towards the window. `We shall have thunder showers before night, I imagine; and they are just in the midst of stacking my corn. Have you got yours all in yet?'

`No.--And Lawrence, did she--did your sister mention me?'

`She asked if I had seen you lately.'

`And what else did she say?'

`I cannot tell you all she said,' replied he with a slight smile, `for we talked a good deal, though my stay was but short; but our conversation was chiefly on the subject of her intended departure, which I begged her to delay till I was better able to assist her in her search after another home.'

`But did she say no more about me?'

`She did not say much about you, Markham. I should not have encouraged her to do so, had she been inclined; but happily she was not: she only asked a few questions concerning you, and seemed satisfied with my brief answers; wherein she showed herself wiser than her friend--and I may tell you too, that she seemed to be far more anxious lest you should think too much of her, than lest you should forget her.'

`She was right.'

`But I fear your anxiety is quite the other way, respecting her.'

`No, it is not: I wish her to be happy; but I don't wish her to forget me altogether. She knows it is impossible that I should forget her; and she is right to wish me not to remember her too well. I should not desire her to regret me too deeply; but I can scarcely imagine she will make herself very unhappy about me, because I know I am not worthy of it, except in my appreciation of her.'

`You are neither of you worthy of a broken heart,--nor of all the sighs, and tears, and sorrowful thoughts that have been, and I fear will be wasted upon you both; but at present, each has a more exalted opinion of the other than, I fear, he or she deserves; and my sister's feelings are naturally full as keen as yours, and I believe more constant; but she has the good sense and fortitude to strive against them in this particular; and I trust she will not rest till she has entirely weaned her thoughts--' he hesitated.

`From me,' said I.

`And I wish you would make the like exertions,' continued he.

`Did she tell you that that was her intention?'

`No; the question was not broached between us: there was no necessity for it, for I had no doubt that such was her determination.

`To forget me?'

`Yes Markham! Why not?'