The Cecil Whig., 1871-03-11

mad with love and disappointment. 1
went into Maynard's room and upbraided
him for his advice, and altogether, as he
said, l qualified myself for Colney Hatch
by easy stages. l tried to console myself
with my portrait; and l saw Miss Vane for
an instant in the Park ON the third day,
but she only drove round once; and took
my seat at the Opera, so prepared for
third disappointment that when she never
appeared 1 settled down in calm despair
There was one more night, however,-one
more chance for me and my white camellia;
and l still dared to hope that should see
her.
On this fourth evening was obliged to
go out to dinner. My host was an old
friend of our family, who had been for
many years in Canada, and had now come
home to settle in his native country. He
had no family; had taken a handsome
house in town, and was very desirous of
showing every possible kindness to me. l
was obliged, therefore, to accept his invita-
ton, but hoped that the Laurences would
wv AiiS SSo o""y Ah UNIV W 81 w ohO OPS
I was pleasantly surprised, therefore,
when on reaching their home and going
up into the drawing room, Mrs. Laurence
said to me, "My husband will have to
make his apologies to you, Mr.. Harcourt,
for he is obliged to 60 off on some most
important business Immediately after din
ner. Now, as l cannot expect to be able
to amuse you all the evening, have got
box at the Opera, Covent Garden: will you
take me?"
81 shall be delighted: but l hope you
don't think | should not be equally pleased
to be here.'
"Well, the fact is" she said, 81 am
not wholly unseltish. I very seldom get to
the Opera, as my husband does not care
for music, and am glad when I can catch
any one who will go with me. We shall
not be alone, by the by, as have a young
lady coming to the box, who will only need
an escort to her carriage, for she is very
independent person, and goes about a good
deal by herself.'
"Indeed," l said
"She is charming girl, however, and
| hope you will like her''
Then Mr.. Laurence came in, and shortly
afterwards dinner was announced.
Such an arrangement was an extremely
fortunate one for me, l thought and 1
only hoped that Mrs. Laurence and her
charming young lady might devote them
| al, ~.
at liberty to scrutinize the house.
One thing had to remember, and that
was my camellia. l had left the one l
intended to wear at my chambers. How
ever, persuaded good-natured Mrs Lau-
renee to drive round by my rooms, under
pretence of getting my own opera-glass,
which said was specially adapted to my
sight. Then got my flower, put it care
fully into my buttonhole, and covered it
over with my light overcoat.
When we drew up under the portico at
Covent Garden, and were entreating the
lobby, Mrs Laurence said to me -
"Why, declare, there are the Colonel
and Edith going up yonder before us. I
suppose he's just brought her, for know
he had to go to the same meeting as Mr.
Laurence"
"T The Colonel and Edith !''-" The Colo
mel y gave me thrill, thinking of her
father, and wondered with vague curl
osity who they were.
We were getting near our box, led by an
obsequious attendant, when l said to Mrs
Laurence -
"You talked of the Colonel just now
may | ask who he is ?''
"Colonel Vane, an old friend of my hus-
bands. He was quartered at Quebec
long time. Edith is his only child, and
they live in Worcester Square,
sometimes wonder now that I didn't
faint at this intelligence. I am sure unsus-
pecting Mrs. Lawrence must have felt the
arm on which she was leaning tremble
and fancied even the box-keeper must
have been able to hear my heart beating
Edith Nane ! This, then, was the name of
my idol and thought never did name
sound so musical. In few seconds l
should be in her company. l remembered
my letter and the camellia Had she come,
l wondered, on this last night? But just
as we reached the box-door, 1 tore the
flower from my buttonhole, and put it into
the ticket pocket of my coat. was about
to be properly introduced to her, and l
thought would dissociate myself from my
foolish letter.
We got to the box =; the usual introduc-
tions followed; and then Colonel Vane
departed, and left me with the ladies'
They had great deal to say to each other,
and for some time l occupied myself with
sitting i'll the back of the box, just content
to look at Edith. If l had thought her
beautiful in her photograph, and when out
driving, think how 1 worshipped her love-
illness when l saw her in full DRESS was
glad that had some time given me to
recover myself, and to collect my thoughts,
for was SO stunned by this unexpected
good fortune that should have acquitted
myself badly had been required to make
myself agreeable as soon as we were seated
in the theatre. l was glad Edith had so
much to say to Mrs. Laurence, and was
amusing myself by comparing her real
face, as l saw it before me, with my photo
graph, when Mrs. Laurence turned to me,
and said, laughingly -
{" Mr.. Harcourt, you have sharper eyes
than Edith or myself. Can you see any
gentleman in the theatre with a white
coma1lio in biS huttopbo1a
A pleasant occupation for me truly =
How thankful was had taken the odious
flower out!
Yes, said Miss Vane, merrily, edo you
see any swain in the stalls who looks par
ticuarly love-stricken?'' %
"May ask the reason Of this investiga-
tion?" l said, as lightly as could, al
though l felt very nervous. els this an
appointment ?'
Miss Vane glanced quickly at me for a
moment, as if some suspicion had entered
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