Year: 1866

eyes, in which nothing but love for him
was then visible, and then he stopped again
and kissed her not less tenderly than be-
fore. His roquelaure and hat had fallen to
the ground, and he now stood revealed a
man cf fashion of the period As before
stated, be was eminently good-looking,
, with languishing black eyes, and a pensive
smile such as one usually endows Romeo
with in Imagination He wore his hair
without parting of any kind in a profusion
of short, black, glossy curls, in which there
was no trace of the elaboration of art, and
he was clean-shaven, except for short
: whisker that terminated halfway down his
cheek. He wore blue coat with gilt but
tons, swallow-tailed, short in the waist,
and high-collared His waistcoat was
bright yellow as to color, cross d with a
small black stripe a huge seal depended
from the fob of his black smaIl-clothes ;
and the Hessian boots in which his lower
extremities were encased were polished to
marvellous degree of brilliancy His
cravat, white and unstarched, and tied with
a large bow, was made of fine, soft muslin !;
and the frilled bosom Of his shirt had been
carefully crimped by conscientious feminine
fingers. In this frill he wore a small clus-
ter OF brilliants while large signet-
ring, genuine antique, decorated the first
finger of his right hand.


Such was the appearance of Sir Derwent
Farrel and absurd as a costume like his
would now seem on the classic flags of
Bond Street or st. James's, it yet became
the baronet admirably, while he in return
lent it grace and distinction which made
it seem the only attire proper for gentle
! man.


"Why did you not come last night ?"
said Lenore. "Hour after hour | waited
for you in vain"


"'Twas not my fault, dearest, that did
not of that rest we'll assured" answered
Varrel. Business that brooked not de-
lay kept me from your side. l was hugely
chagrined."


That weary, weary business |" sighed
Lenore. otis ever mems excuse. But
now that you are here, | will not be mel
ancholy. All, that | could be forever by
your side |"


She nestled her head shyly on his bosom
He stroked her chestnut hair softly with
his white hand, and looked down on her
with crafty and sinister smile-such
smile as might light up the face of a fowl
er when he see the fluttering innocent
which he has been doing his best to entice
begin to turn longingIy toward the snare


Little simpleton !" he replied, pulling
her ear. You speak as if what you long
for were impossible of attainment where,
as one word from you would make it a bliss
full certainty and render two loving hearts
happy forever"
word. All, why does my father dislike you
so much ?"


"My faith how should l know? But
not the word, little one You should ask,
why does he hate me so intensely? There
for such he has ever a ready ear for am
unfortunate enough to have many enemies,
and doubtless twice as many faults"


No, no, will not hear such language
exclaimed Lenore. " In time my father
will relent, and then"


Never, girl !" said Varrel ferceIy-
Colonel LOmond is not made Of melting
stuff. His hatred of me he will carry with
him to the grave. Never look for change
in him. Sweet one," he added, changing
his tone in a moment to one of low-breath-
ing, imploring tenderness" sweet one as
have told thee before, both thy fate and
mine are dependent on single word from
those rosy lips. Be mine, in spite Of every
one l am rich and can supply thy every
want. We will go abroad and in some
lovely Italian valley, or fair isle Of the
eastern seas, we will forget our by-gone
troubles, and watch the happy days glide
softly past, while rounding our lives to
that perfect love which alone can bring
back Eden to this weary earth. Oh, Lo
more, dearest and best-loved, flee with me
at once and forever !"


She was standing by the little table,
smiling, trembling, and yet with tears half
starting from her lids, while he kneeling on
one knee, was covering her hand with pas
sionate kisses.


"Oh, Varrel, you try me almost beyond
my strength !" she murmured "But |
can not, dare not do as you wish You
know not my father as well as do. He
would seek me out and kill me-and you
| too, and you too, Derwent wherever we
might be. His vengeance would be terri
bic and pitiless."


Timid little puss !" he said half scorn-
fully as he rose and encircled her waist
with his arm Am | not competent to
protect thee against the world Fear
nothing For this house of bondage for
this stagnation of heart and soul, will
give thee life and light and love, Thou
shalt exchange this"


Hush !" exclaimed Lenore, suddenly,
with smothered shrek. d" [ hear my faith
er's football on the stairs. To the window,
Varrel, or you are lost p


One hasty kiss, and then Varrel dashed
aside the chintz curtain, and sprang to the
window, only to fall back next moment in
to the room like man stricken in the dark
"a thousand devils | have been betray
ed !" he exclaimed. 1.-THE rope-ladder is
gone, and see the figures of men moving
about the lawn. Lenore, you must hide
me |"


Too late-too late !" she sobbed.
They both stood for moment as though
changed to stone, while the footsteps came
with heavy tramp along the echoing cor
ridor, and halted outside the door. The
eyes of Lenore and Varrel turned instinc-
lively to the door-handle, and they saw it
move as it was tried from the other side,
| but the door was still locked.


"Open Lenore--it is !" said a stern
voice from without and the summons was
emphasized by a heavy blow on the panel
| Of the door