To Mr. Eugene Wrayburn, in confidence, did Mrs. John Harmon impart what she had known of the state of his wife’s affections, in his reckless time. And to Mrs. John Harmon, in confidence, did Mr. Eugene Wrayburn impart that, please God, she should see how his wife had changed him!

“I make no protestations,” said Eugene; “⁠—who does, who means them!⁠—I have made a resolution.”

“But would you believe, Bella,” interposed his wife, coming to resume her nurse’s place at his side, for he never got on well without her: “that on our wedding day he told me he almost thought the best thing he could do, was to die?”

“As I didn’t do it, Lizzie,” said Eugene, “I’ll do that better thing you suggested⁠—for your sake.”