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"It all passed so quickly, all like a glare of lightning," said Hilda,

"and yet it seeht draw

a breath But that look! Ah, Miriam, spare me Need I tell more?"

"Noher head,

as if listening to a sentence of condeh! You have satisfied reatly disturbed Henceforward I shall be quiet Thank you, Hilda"

She was on the point of departing, but turned back again from the

threshold

"This is a terrible secret to be kept in a young girl's bosom," she

observed; "ill you do with it, uideinto tears; "for

the burden of it crushes , and to keep it to , i to be let out! O , I would travel over land and

sea to tell her this dark secret, as I told all the little troubles of

my infancy But I am alone--alone! Miriam, you were my dearest, only

friend Advise ular appeal, no doubt, frouilty woman, whom she had just banished fro testihtness and ienerosity had made on the friend who knew her

best; and it deeply co to her that