Year: 1877

uttered question, by handing her a let
ter, with which, making scarcely
audible excuse, she hurried from the
room.





One bright afternoon in September,
about four years subsequent to the date
Of the incidents related, luxurious
boudolr in Belgrave Square, was occu-
pied by two ladies, both young and one
almost child-like in her appearance. The
form of the latter was of fairy-like pro-
portions, with the roundness and grace
of Hebe. She might have personated
that goddess in face as well as figure; for
her deep blue eyes were full of joy and
love; her mouth had the fresh and dewy
red of ripe, but unplucked cherry-her
cheek was bright with tender bloom and
countless curls of rich, golden hue,
clustered softly round its dimpled beauty
of its expression. Young as she was,
she was evidently mother, for herlove-
ly, sportive infant lay in her arms and
miniature of herself, tiny girl, between
two and three years of age, stood at the
knee of the other lady, turning over the
gilded leaves of an annual.


1t would be difficult to describe the
singular beauty of the face, which was
bent toward the child; the large hazel
eyes were filled with wild and passion





at emelancholy. The cheek was perfectly
colorless, yet so transparent, that any
unusual emotion would instantly reveal
itself there, illumining that spiritual
paleness with brilliant glow, momen-
tary indeed, but exquisitely delicate. The
hair was glossy, and intensely black lay
ing in rich masses on either side of the
face, and braided loosely behind. The
eyelashes were long, of the same jettish
hue, contrasting strangely with the tint
less purity of her complexion. The grace
and majesty of her form were finely de-
veloped by her rich simple dress. Itwas
a black velvet, sweeping in ample folds
below her feet and wholly without orna-
ment, excepting frill of black lace at
the throat. She was seated in a deep
crimson chair, over the arm of which,
hung superb India shawl, bright with
the gorgeous colors of the eastern loom.


ooh isn't that pretty picture,
aunt ?" exclaimed the little prattler at
her knee, and the lady stopped still low
er, until her pale cheek touched the
round and rosy one of the child.


The door opened, and two young men
entered the room, one Of them saying las
he did so, " L have brought you an old
friend, Caroline, whom l am sure you
will be happy to see, and you also,
Georgiana."


While the youthful Duchess sprang
eagerly forward to welcome the stranger,
the dark-haired lady languidly raised
her eyes but they fell again instantly,
and the color mounted to her brow when
she met the earnest and admiring gaze
of the Dukes companion.


" Miss Melton,h said the deep and
musical voice of Vincent Lorraine, while
his lip quivered with emotion, 81 this is
indeed happiness L did not dare to
hope; but after a four years absence
from all love best upon earth, you will
not surely refuse to welcome me home
again"


Georgiana threw back her safely head !;
but she could not repress the growing
smile of joy, which lighted up her beau
tiful face, as she replied, My welcome
can be of but little importance to Mr.
Lorraine; but it is freely given, never
theless.p And she frankly held out her
hand.


/ wish you success, most heartily,
my dear fellow ~ said the Duke, as he
and Lorraine were riding through Hyde
Park few days afterwards, "but must
candidly tell you that you have but little
chance with "the statute" as she is
called, by all her male acquaintance
She has refused all who ever overcome
their awe of her, sufficiently to propose,
and seems determined to keep herself to
herself, with all her beauty of mind and
person. To tell you the truth, 1 was
quite astonished at her condescending
to shake hands with you the other day.
1t is liberty which no one else would
presume to take with her. In truth, she
has odd ideas about some things, which
cannot account for. In my opin-
ion, she is over fastidious, if q woman
can be so. No, no, though she is the
light of our household, she will never
grace another, i fear; 1 should say, 1