generally, inasmuch as moonlight meetings with so lovely a person might, should they come to the knowledge of Miss Lee, be open to misconstruction; and particularly

with impunity, but have an awkward way of asse

da of his relations with Maria Lee, and to put an end to his flirtation with her; for, ostensibly at any rate, it was nothing more than a very serious flirtation-that is to say, though there had been words of love, and even on her part

especially silence by night, is a great unveiler of realities,-or the dread of bitter words, or the prescience of the sharp pang of parting -for he knew enough of Hilda to know that, what he had to say once said, she would trouble him no more-whether it was these things, or whatever it was that affected him, he grew most unaccountably anxious and depressed. Moreover, in this congenial condition of the atmospher

sort, when directed towards each other, are so superficial as compared with the intensity of our fears when we are terrified by calamity, or the presence, real or fanc

with a sigh of relie

eople to dinner;" and then, in a softene

y a litt

eir own thoughts, and each dreading to put them into words. Once Philip made a beginning o

e trunk of a pine-tree, in the boughs of which the nigh

eak first. I have something to say to you, and what I have to say may influence whatever is in your mind. Listen;

ed his hea

hat no such words must be spoken again, and that I am about to make it impossible that they s

y!" he gas

d yet the words that should have been so full of comfor

. I never saw him, and care nothing for him, but it will give me a pretext; and, once go

hat, unless he could alter her determination, he was about the lose the woman he so passionately a

hand, which she immediately withdrew; "

I am told, a common thing for such proposals to be made to women in my position, whom it would be folly for wealthy gentlemen to marry. If so, abandon that idea; for I tell you, Philip, that I would rather die than so disgrace my ancient name to gratify myself. I know you money-loving English do not think very much of race unless the bearers of the name are rich; but we do; and, although you would think it a mesalliance to marry me, I, on the other hand,

id. Presently he lifted his face, and it bore traces of a dreadful inward struggle. It

"don't go; I cannot bear to

to become your wife, and that I have absolutely nothing but my name and my good looks. Look at me," and she stepped out into a patch of moonlight that found its way between the trees, and, d

isappointed with your bargain, and complain that you have not got your money's worth. Remember, too, that an accident, an illness, an

er-house, and covered his face with his hand, as though her loveliness was more than he could b

ife than lose you; I love you so that I would buy you

changed her whole tone and bearing, and passionately stretched out her arms tow

morr

ow, if y

omise me som

t is

, and bear another name until my father's death. I

et marriages; but you are giving up much to marry me,

induce you to reveal that you are my wi

vided you do not force

p lau

said. "But how shall we arr

et you in

, and get a licence, and then on Wednesd

hilip; where sh

ress which she car

must go, it is late. Y

now go." In another

st the man I love. Why should our marriage be so secret? He cannot be entangled with Maria, or she would have told me." And she stretched out her arms towards the path by which he had left her,