CHAPTER IX.

“Ceux qui n'aiment pas ont rarement de grandes joies, Ceux qui aiment, ont souvent de grandes tristesses.”

My lord and master loves you. Oh! such love
Could be but recompensed, though you were crowned
The nonpareil of beauty.

Twelfth Night.

FRANCISCO was lingering in the antichamber, as if watching for Ellen; and as she came forth from the gallery, an honest burst of joy seemed to rush on his feelings, and he was advancing to accost her with an eagerness of manner that induced her to stop; but after returning his salutation, he became too confused to express that which he had to say, and she moved on.

Matilda was as pleased to see Ellen as Mrs. Montague had been, for they both liked her extremely. Leaving the German master, and

oversetting the heavy globes by her side, she arose from her studies, and taking her friend's hand, conducted her into the dressing-room adjoining, quite forgiving, though not wholly forgetting all Ellen's alleged "faults" regarding her papa. She made endless inquiries about Darmaya House, and scarcely concealed her disapprobation in her comments on Lady Villetta's conduct, which she had heard descanted on seriously by Mrs. Montague; and wondered how it could be, that notwithstanding her cruel treatment of Lord Darmaya, he could still mean to marry her; and how other people too, which she never could have believed, could remain friends with her now.

Ellen smiled, and with a languid accent said, "Do you mean the support which the Duke seems to afford her ?"

Matilda had avoided mentioning his name during their tête-à-tête, and was perplexed at the question, which she hardly knew how to

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answer. Papa must be very fond of Lady

Villetta, to be sure," she at length affirmed; "for he never joins in any of the criticisms which are so current and severe upon her just

at this time. I have been very miserable since you went away, and little supposed that I should have been left alone with grandmamma, as I am to be; but I will not tease you with family grievances. I must go and tell the people in the next room that it is too dark for any more lessons to-day."

Ellen remained alone, leaning her burning temples against the cold marble chimney-piece. The dialogue with Matilda had annoyed her feelings, even more than the preceding one with Mrs. Montague. She was judging Villetta, and almost pitying Lord Darmaya, but most of all wondering at Lorevaine-when Matilda, as she imagined, took her hand.

"Dear Miss De Lastre, will you not speak to me?" She raised her eyes, and, meeting those of Lorevaine, sought to assuage the pang that was within her breast by an effort at composure which was beyond her power. The words she meant to have uttered were put to instant flight by the amazed but impressive gaze of him she loved so tenderly. "I am very silly," she said, almost hysterically.

Lorevaine spoke to her with the kindest

sympathy of manner. "Are you unhappy, dearest Ellen? Tell me candidly; let me be your adviser, your friend. I would postpone my journey—I would do anything you would point out to me. Indeed, I am wretched at perceiving you thus distressed."

Ellen slightly pressed his hand in gratitude, and in broken accents tried to convince him that she had no real cause for such childish sighing and moaning; that it was only a bad head-ache, and a longing to return to Cedar Grove; that London was strange and melancholy to her.

"Montague," said the Duke, in a faltering tone" Montague is deeply attached to you. Is there any impediment to your union that I can remove, any source of sorrow in which I

Ellen clasped her hands together in apparent agony for an instant; then, turning towards the Duke, spoke with a collected and decided resolution of manner, which startled him. "No, I do not wish for your interference," she said firmly; "I am not even talked to upon that subject now, and I do not want

an adviser or a friend. And if I did-" here her lip quivered, and Lorevaine, marking her displeasure by the deepening flush on her cheek, intreated her pardon for having alluded to Montague, and hoped she would be convinced how disinterested and unintentionally he had erred.

"Forgive me, dear Miss De Lastre; do not suppose I could presume to offer you advice, or trespass on your secrets by idle curiosity. Oh no! But at the same time it would be infinite happiness to be the means of promoting yours. I am going away to-morrow morning."

"And would you have postponed your journey for my sake?" she uttered softly, as their hands accidentally were cast over the same

chair at the instant. yourself from us. Darmaya House now. and—”

"It is you that separate You never even dine at

But have the Delaineys,

"Villetta?" subjoined the Duke, bending forward to catch the precise meaning of the unfinished allegation.

“Yes,” Ellen subjoined, blushingly.

"You shall know all some day, dearest