hope to do that long. I know how natural it was that he should regard my presence as something offensive; I felt it must be so, myself."
"He did not say so?"
"No; he said nothing: but I saw that his glance rested on me for a moment, and I was prepared for what would happen—for what has happened. I am dismissed!"
She looked as little shocked and as hopeful as she could, but it was distressing news, for many reasons.
"'I need not tell you,'" said John Carker, reading the letter, "'why your name would henceforth have an unnatural sound, in however remote a connexion with mine, or why the daily sight of anyone who bears it, would be unendurable to me. I have to notify the cessation of all engagements between us, from this date, and to request that no renewal of any communication with me, or my establishment, be ever attempted by you.'—Enclosed is an equivalent in money to a generously long notice, and this is my discharge. Heaven knows, Harriet, it is a lenient and considerate one, when we remember all!"
"If it be lenient and considerate to punish you at all, John, for the misdeed of another," she replied gently, "yes."
"We have been an ill-omened race to him," said John Carker. "He has reason to shrink from the sound of our name, and to think that there is something cursed and wicked in our blood. I should almost think it too, Harriet, but for you."
"Brother, don’t speak like this. If you have any special reason, as you say you have, and think you have—though I say, No!—to love me, spare me the hearing of such wild mad words!"
He covered his face with both his hands; but soon permitted her, coming near him, to take one in her own.
"After so many years, this parting is a melancholy thing, I know," said his sister, "and the cause of it is dreadful to us both. We have to live, too, and must look about us for the means. Well, well! We can do so, undismayed. It is our pride, not our trouble, to strive, John, and to strive together!"
A smile played on her lips, as she kissed his cheek, and entreated him to be of of good cheer.
"Oh, dearest sister! Tied, of your own noble will, to a ruined man! whose reputation is blighted; who has no friend himself, and has driven every friend of yours away!"
"John!" she laid her hand hastily upon his lips, "for my sake! In remembrance of our long companionship!" He was silent "Now, let me tell you, dear," quietly sitting by his side, "I have, as you have, expected this; and when I have been thinking of it, and fearing that it would happen, and preparing myself for it, as well as I could, I have resolved to tell you, if it should be so, that I have kept a secret from you, and that we have a friend."
"What’s our friend’s name, Harriet?" he answered with a sorrowful smile.
"Indeed, I don’t know, but he once made a very earnest protestation to me of his friendship and his wish to serve us: and to this day I believe him."
