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connection with, or connivance in, that ter

given W a very uuHappy "olnany 70 Keep
her secret ?"
Charles Malcolm knew directly that it
was of Sybil Derwent he was speaking, and
he asked no more questions. Could he,
who had felt it impossible to dcnomce her,
blame another for being equally lenientP
He cleared his throat after a while, and
said as composedly as he could, "I will
make q point of seeing Miss Lindsly to-
morrow morning as early as can present
myself at the Lodge with propriety. IF I
have good news, I will be with you again as
quickly as cam
Let me drive you down, and wait for
you," cried Aubrey. "Think of the time
that must otherwise intervene before + can
know my fate. If you succeed in convincing
Violet of my innocence, and she consents
to see me, dozen Mr.. Derwents shall not
keep me from her. Let me 60 with you.
To this proposal his friend Was forced to
consent; and accordingly on the following
morning, ho and the impatient Aubrey
went to Norwood together.
Millicent Vyper was on the watch, and
Malcolm owed it to her good Offices that he
was shown up stairs as soon as he presented
himself.
A little color came into Violet's pale cheek
as Malcolm accosted her, and produced the
letters which had afforded him an excuse
for his early visit
"Poor papa!" she sighed, as her eye fell
upon the familiar handwriting, and she
raised the packet to- her lips. II was so
happy while he lived - and then her head
dropped again, and she fell into the old
hopeless attitude.
Malcolm bent forward, and taking her
hand, boldly exclaimed, "Dear Miss Lindsly
have you asked yourref whether that be-
loved father would have approved of the
marriage you are about to make"
She looked up uneasily. ri don't know"
Yes, I think he would say have decided
rightly
"Decided rightly in giving your hand to
MIR. Derwent, while your affections are an
other'sa - No, no, Miss Lindsly! By no
sophistry can you really convince yourself
that this is right"
She wrung her delicate hands. "Pray
spare me, Mr.. Malcolm. I have been try.
ing to forget these things, and it is cruel
to compel me to remember them. Besides,
it is my duty to renounce all thoughts Of
Of
She paused, blushing deeply, and he
finished the sentence for her-"Of your old
friend and play-fellow, Vernon Aubrey
And yet, Major Lindsly limited to me, not
long before his death, a hope that you would
continue to appreciate tha; young mans
excellent qualities, and eventually, confer
your hand upon him.
"Papa said this?" Violet mournfully
calculated. "Ah, but he did not know how
I should be situated. He did not dream
that Vernon Aubrey would ever-ever-"
The rest was drowned in her suffocating
sobs.
Malcolm brought her a vinaigrette, that
lay on a table, and besought her to be COM
posed.
"You have been laboring under terrible
error, my dear Miss Lindsly. You have
been led to believe that Vernon Aubrey had
guilty knowledge Of my Cousins death
but it is not so. I tell you so, who have
deeper interest in learning the truth Of
this than auJ one. else"
She fixed ner eyes upon MS face, and
grasping his arm faltered, "But are you
sure9 Oh, Mr.. Malcolm, don't tell me this
unless you are quite-quite sureP Think
how dreadful it would be to find myself
mistaken again %
He repeated his assurances, saying, "Mr.
Aubrey pledged ME his honor, and am
satisfied. The blood of Robert Walters
does not rest upon his SOUL"
With fearful Joy, Violet entreated him to
repeat this and then began to blame her.
self for ever having thought to tho den-
trary.
"i ought to have known that, let the pro-
vocation be what it might, Vernon Aubrey,
was incapable of committing such an afro.
cious act. Will he ever forgive me for hcr-
boring such disgraceful suspicions2 And
yet Mr.. Derwent thought him guilty; and
30 did you, l think-did you not ?"
He admitted that she was in some meas.
ure correct. "I thought him cognizant of
the crime; but he has explained why he
was forced to conceal what he actually knew
in connection with it, and I am satisfied
that we have all done him great injustice"
"Poor Vernon !--poor Vermont" murmur-
ed Violet, softly. Jear Mr.. Malcolm,
should like him to know, if you please, that
I, for one, shall never cease to regret the
doubts have been cherishing; and that
earnestly implore his forgiveness. You will
tell him this for me, won't youp"
"You had better tell it to him yourself"
said Malcolm, rising from his seat. "He
is awaiting me at no great distance from
theLodge gate. Shall I bring him toyou7"
But at this question, the joy that had
lighted Violet's azure orbs, faded, and the
rosy tint upon her cheeks disappeared. -.
"I must not see him." she sighed, mourn
fully; "I must not see him, until can
think of him only as a friend.'
"Bnt, my dear Miss Lindsly," Malcolm
warmly demonstrated, "you will not Carry
out your intention Of marrying Mr.. Der
went, now you know that the man you
dearly love is in every way deserving Of
your affection. Better to run the risk of
L cx1~1
cannot fulfill"
for few minutes. When she looked up
older--so haggard and spiritless did she
appear.
it is useless" she murmure1o "I have
given my promise to Mr.. Derwent, and
cannot retract ii"
'.Then must appeal to him. If he pos
sesses any good or generous feeling, he will
release you," Malcolm exclaimed.
e'He cannot if he would" she said, agi-
tatedly. "You do not know, nor can tell
you. why neither Of us can draw back.
There is too much depending upon it, Mr..
Derwent, like myself is as much to be
pitied as blamed"
To the meaning of these words her hearcr
had no clue; and he answered, II can feel
no pity for ono who has worked upon the
mind Of an innocent young girl, until he
has induced her to pledge herself to a
union of which, for many reasons, her best
friends cannot approve"
"Hush, Mr.. Malcolm-you go too far"
she said, with dignity. "Mr. Derwent has
my grateful regard, and those who are
really my friends must not forget the claim
he has to their respect. Do you, who SO
freely censure his conduct, know anything
against him."
Malcolm was obliged to acknowledge
that he did not; that although he had
never been able to conquer secret dislike
to the father Of Sybil, he could give no
reason for it.
sHIhen do him Justice. when YOU repeat