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"May I ask where you are bound, Sir Alexander?" the intruder enquired.

"On particular business," Sir Alexander drily replied.

"Private?" demanded his questioner, with a smile, though respectful.

"Private!" was the still drier answer.

"Then," answered his young companion, "I will not intrude on you my company," and turning his horse's head, he nodded, and receiving a grateful acknowledgment from Sir Alexander for his consideration, rode away in a contrary direction.

But whether idle curiosity, or other motives prompted him, he had soon turned again, and following slowly at some distance, managed to track the destination of the elder equestrian ; for soon after the dismounting of Sir Alexander, he might have been seen sufficiently near the door of the house, occupied by Signor Angelo, to recognise his friend's horse held by a boy.

He curiously surveyed the mansion, but did not ride past it-then turning his steed, he gallopped off the way he came.

It was Lord Mervyn !

CHAPTER XVII.

"Why is thy cheek so wild and wan
Sir Leoline? Thy only child
Lies at thy feet-thy joy, thy pride,
So fair, so innocent, so mild,

The same for whom thy lady died-
Oh! by the pangs of her dear mother
Think thou no evil of thy child-
For her, and thee, and for no other,
She prayed the moment ere she died-
Prayed that the babe for whom she died
Might prove her dear lord's joy and pride-
That prayer her deadly pains beguiled-
And would'st thou wrong that only child,
Her child and thine ?"

CHRISTOBELLE,

"Is Madame-is-" the name seemed to stick

in the proud man's throat, "is the lady who lives here, at home?"

"Madame Angelo, Sir?" enquired the maid, who opened the door to Sir Alexander, "yes, Sir."

"Alone ?"

"Yes, I believe Sir. I will see, if you pleaseSignor Angelo I know is out."

"Ah! that will do -I wish to see the lady."

"If you please, Sir-be pleased to walk upwhat name shall I say?"

"Oh never mind my name.

وو

And Sir Alexander having entered the house, followed the servant with slow, firm steps, but a beating heart, up the stairs, and appeared as already detailed, before his startled daughter.

*

*

Still when the door had closed upon the old visitor, and they were left alone together, did the awful pause continue.

The father and daughter stood facing each other, the former in such dread silence-the latter in such distressing emotion.

Aline had ever stood in awe of that grave father, ever suffered from timid embarrassment in his presence-but now, to feel herself a culprit before him-an object of his just and merited displeasure!-whilst the remembrance of the dreadful scene which had succeeded her elopement, added to his present terrible demeanour, for so it appeared to her-seemed to blast her sight-stop her breath-annihilate her! and she wished she could have fainted-died-to save herself from the terrors of that dreadful moment, which seemed to her to last for

ever.

Her slight form, rocking, quivering like a slender plant, sunk down at length, and humbly crawling at her father's feet, Aline's weak, faint voice tremblingly raised itself for pity and forgiveness

"Father, do not look upon me thus speak to me, if only angry words, but do not kill me by such silent sternness-I am your child,

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