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"I thought so-not for all the gold they can offer you-but this letter-it will tell you all. But no-do not read it, let us destroy it, and think and speak no more of the horrid suggestion."

Whether or not Angelo read the letter, Sir Alexander certainly received no further communication upon the subject.

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"I HAVE a great favour to ask you, dear Sir," said Aline to me, when next I spoke to her over the garden railings, a few mornings after my visit.

"What can I do for you, dear lady?-you will make me very happy by enlisting me in your service."

I gazed on her face as I spoke, and it struck me, that a change had passed over it since I had first seen her on this spot-some new spirit seemed to manifest itself in her countenance and demeanour, some firmer-nobler-more dignified spirit.

But I thought it might be that the languor and consequent prostration of mental and bodily strength, had more fully passed away; and then I thought of her as I had last seen her, trembling, drooping before her father's glance of sorrowful, stern displeasure, and almost wondered how her head had ever raised itself again, with such calm, gentle, and determined dignity of mien.

Had he forgiven her that severe looking father? had he restored once more the light of his countenance to his alienated daughterthe singer's wife?

I knew now who that father was, and had nearly made myself cognizant of the rough outline of my heroine's history.

"You are very kind," she said, "but I am afraid you will think mine a somewhat bold request, ignorant as I am of your tastes and habits; you must say so, if it is the least disagreeable or troublesome to you to accede to it."

Aline paused, and wondering not a little what this bold request might be, I smilingly reproached her for setting me down as so selfish or ungallant an old churl as to be willing to grasp at any such agreement, and begged the fair lady to name her wishes.

"You are aware, I conclude, of my husband's profession," she said calmly, her eyes firmly fixed upon my face, her cheek" colouring slowly" as she spoke.

I bowed affirmatively.

"Now you may imagine that it is a great deprivation to me—

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Again she paused for an instant, but then continued simply

"Do you ever go to the Opera?"

No lady," I answered, "many's the day since I was there, and the very last time was with your uncle-I have not been much in the way of such things till of late, but if I had, it would have been all the same; music I dearly love—but in its natural state. The nightingale's thrilling melody bursting suddenly on my ear, the lark's clear carol, would delight me more than the most splendid triumph of art, to which I might sit and listen, in cold, critical expectation of enjoyment. But do not think I despise all human melody. If you, lady, will kindly treat me some day with the music of your sweet voice, you will see how I shall appreciate it."

"And my husband's-what delight would it not give you!"

"No doubt, Madame-it has indeed already done so-When it burst upon my ear the other day in sudden, and as it were, spontaneous harmony, he could not have had a more enraptured listener."

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