I never can importune you; and I would hide myself from every living thing sooner than annoy you. You have but to say the word, and I will still disappear from your sight for ever. But now, have patience with me. I am happier at this moment than I have been for years! And Violet could hardly doubt that D'Arcy spoke the truth, for he looked so happy, and that was not his general expression.

The lovers walked on conversing till they reached the opposite gate. D'Arcy's respectful manner disarmed her of all mistrust, and, in spite of herself, Violet felt a joy she had never known in her life before.

And to-night I shall not see you, and it is your last night," said D'Arcy, alluding to the Opera of that evening.

"Where shall you be ?" inquired Violet.

"I have an engagement to go twenty miles from town with Lord ——, the minister for the Home Department. It is important for me to keep the engagement; nothing, in fact, but necessity would make me give up the pleasure of seeing you to-night : as it is, I have not much chance of it, as I have to speak to Lord -on business, and shall be detained, or I could still go to and find myself in the Opera in time for the last act of the ballet. To-morrow I shall call at your house, if Mrs. Woodville is not informed of our meeting this morning; she will not think my visit is made so very much too soon."

"But how is mamina not to know of my meeting with you? "She cannot unless you tell her; and surely that is not necessary, it would only occasion remarks, and for once there can be no objection to its not being known. But do as you judge best," added D'Arcy.

" But, " said Violet, "there is Hummings, who will think it so odd; and there is something so disgraceful in having anything to conceal from papa or mamma-I cannot bear it!"

"Then tell Mrs. Woodville of our meeting. I advised you not, because I know what mammas are, and that yours is not aware that I am not like Goring, or any of those men whom it would not be so well for you to be on the same terms with. I myself should be wretched if you were. But your parents will not make the distinction; and I flatter myself that you, at

least, think I deserve that you should have perfect confidence in me.' “And I have, Mr. d'Arcy. But there is still Hummings; she may speak of our walking together?"

"No, I think not—no, I am sure she will not. The truth is, continued D'Arcy, smiling, "I so wish to call upon you; and I fear, if, in addition to our walk to-day, I venture to appear in your house to-morrow, I shall be forbidden to do so ever again.. Shall I not?" asked D'Arcy, as he took and pressed the little hand of poor Violet, while he regarded her beseechingly to acquiesce.

Violet sighed she felt there was something wrong in her conduct; but D'Arcy's arguments prevailed, and she agreed to conceal their having walked together.

No sooner had they parted, and she was slowly returning homewards, than she repented her agreement; but her mind was in a tumult of emotion, and hardly any idea was defined enough to become the one uppermost.

At one moment she was seized with the most poignant regret at having asked D'Arcy not to leave England; and felt she could do, or endure, anything to have the power of recalling her words.

“And what must it have made him think of me?" inwardly exclaimed Violet; and her delicacy shrank with dismay from this avowal of her feelings towards D'Arcy. Then, again, the idea rose in her mind, that had it been otherwise, she might have bade him an eternal adieu; and that, to a heart such as hers, was a thought too overwhelming in its misery. Sooner than thatsooner than part from D'Arcy, Violet would have given up her life, her happiness, her honour no; that last sacrifice did not occur to her; or, if it did, it was so vaguely and so seemingly impossible, that it passed through her mind quicker than the bird of the ocean flies over its waves. She did not question the force of D'Arcy's love; she did not fathom the depth of her own; still she was aware that all this could have no good end, and felt a consciousness of future sorrow, and a dread of the day's coming when he must be taken from her. Then, again, Violet remembered that she was beloved by D'Arcy, and brooded over that conviction in silent happiness.

Suddenly she began to wonder what construction Mrs. Hum

mings had put upon her meeting him, or whether she put any at all. She addressed her, and Mrs. Hummings, who was full of internal perplexity and uneasiness, answered submissively, and as if she were the culprit on this occasion, as in fact, though unknown to her mistress, she was.

"I think," said Mrs. Hummings, “it is of no use of our saying to your mamma or pa' of our a-meeting with Mr. d'Arcy; they may not desire as you should see him; and if you don't say nothing on it, I am sure I sha'n't think on it, Miss."

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Very well, Hummings," answered Violet, with an averted face, for her conscience would allow her to say no more; and she reached her home without again speaking to her attendant.

"SHE is the finest creature I ever saw!" cried Lord Zhe surveyed Violet Woodville through his opera-glass. The ballet had commenced, and Violet was dancing.

"Aston

ishing! So much grace!-'Pon my soul, she is lovely, Goring!"

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Oh, yes; but it's no use-she wants the ring."

"Is it true that Stanmore marriesher?

"No-I asked him; he turned sulky upon it; but swore it was

not true. They say D'Arcy is the favourite."

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Oh, oh!-so he finds time for that, too, does he! How she has filled the house this season; and it is mere grace, excessive grace, and excessive beauty; for she does no tours de force, and her dancing is nothing compared with that of Heberlé and Mon