Year: 1867


the girl, low cry escaped from her pale lips; and
then her form weighed heavily upon his breast
Overcome with terror she had tainted.


THE ADvERsARIEs.


Lord Ruthven did not rush upon his adversary
did not so much as lay his hand upon the hit Of
the short sword, worn as part Of full dress on all
occasions of ceremony, at that period.


A strange composure seemed to have succeeded
his wild rage, and he had apparently reached that
stage ofwrath, when all furry and excitement dis
appear when deep pallor follows the hot flush Of
common anger, and the mind acting clearly, and
with all its powers about it, resolutely fixes on the
course of action to be pursued.


There was deadly look in the young nobleman' 8
eye, and his lips were as ashy pale as his cheeks
but when he spoke, there was no evidence of agi-
tation in his voice.


''It is quite unnecessary to hold me back, " he
said to Fergus, who knowing the terrible strength
of his masters passions, had seized his arm to re-
strain him from advancing. 81 do not purpose to
do anything rash, and you will remain where you
now are.


With these words, the speaker proceeded to the
arbor, and confronted the two young persons.


Innis had recovered his selfpossession almost
instantly, and did not lower his gaze before that Of
his adversary, who now said, in an icy tone, 81
will relieve you of Lady Ruthven, sir, as the night
is unpleasantly cold, and she might suffer inconve
nience from the exposure. shall escort her to
the house, with your permission, sir, and as it will
be necessary to hold brief discussion with you
afterwards, shall beg you to await my return, with
out moving from this place. May I count upon
you, sir?''


Innis bowed with an air of gloomy satisfaction
| it might almost be said of naughty joy.


Then his adversary would himself force on him,
the combat which his whole soul leaped to meet.
They would soon cross swords, and one Of them
fall


In his bitter, mad despair and wretchedness,
Innis thought only of that one thing-that they
would meet breast to breast.


His bow appeared to satisfy Lord Ruthven, and
at the same moment, the poor girl opened her
eyes. The scene had passed so rapidly that there
was only brief interval between her fainting and
return to consciousness.


All flashed upon her now; like lurid lightning,
and starting from Inns' arms, she covered her face
with her hands, and shrunk with low scream Of
terror, from the eye of Lord Ruthven.


"Oh am innocent!' she exclaimed, ''it was
but for q moment-om last meeting-Edmund-
my lord !"


Enough p was the low, stern interruption Of
the nobleman, over whose countenance, she look
ed upon the young lady, passed violent contor-
ton, as though sudden agony had convulsed
him." Enough, madam; we will not, at present,
discuss this matter


And exchanging last meaning look with 1nnis,
the speaker, half escorting half bearing her in his
arms, reconducted the young lady to the house


From that moment Lord Ruthven's conduct and
department were strongly calculated to support the
hypothesis, afterwardsinsisted upon, that his mind
was thrown from its balance He acted with the
self-possession, wariness and cunning, which moi
seldom characterize the proceedings Of a lunatic.


With the exception of the deathly pallor Of his
countenance, and the strange glitter in his eyes, he
exhibited no traces of emotion; and, indeed, had
never appeared calmer than when he rejoined the
company.


AS he entered with the young lady by the side
door, through which she had flown to meet hel
cousin, supper was announced and Lord Ruth
ven acted with the utmost presence Of mind anc
tact


He hastily tore the heavy wrapping from the
young ladys shoulders; placed her arm in his
and with smile upon his features, joined the
company and preceded the guests into the supper
room.


Il NJ ono sae,,od to boya ohsarved the ahsence nj
the bride but Lady Brand; or if it had been OBJ
served, it was doubtless, attributed to her desire
to retire and rest for brief space before supper


The quick eyes of the fond mother, however
discerned something strange and unwonted in the
young lady's air, and she knew that Honoria hao
not been in her apartment, where she had sought
Iher.


Gliding now to her side, Lady Brand asked he,
where she had been, but before she could reply
Lord Ruthven was at her shoulder, and said:


seYou must not quarrel with your daughter fol-
Having secrets now, madam, as she is Lady Ruth
yen." And the nobleman, as he spoke in Light
voice, looked at Honoria. That look was one o.
such deadly menace, that she shrunk from him
, and turned deathly pale. He saw that her ips
were sealed; and that there was no longer an OBJ
stacle to his design.


Gliding through the crowd with strange smile
he issued forth into the hail. passed quickly through
the side door, and imperiously bidding Fergus re
main behind, almost rushed toward the arbor, a
though he feared that his foe would escape him.
i THE COMBAT.