ously regarding Ellen. She now re-struck the chords, as if contrasted passions warred within her breast. She then sang a few stanzas, and all was again still. A burst of enthusiasm echoed through the salon, and Ellen rushed to the crimson drapery with a throbbing heart. Lorevaine was gone. CHAPTER IV. "Happy in Error's sea who finds the land, The moment's present raptures waste away." "IT is certainly very amiable of the Duke, making me a present of that villa so near Richmond," said Mrs. Montague to Baptiste; "that will be my home, and when you marry I can receive you comfortably. He is very impatient for you to propose for Ellen, as We often talk it over, and both think you tardy; so do arrange it, for now you can quite afford to settle." I am. "You are entirely wrong," Baptiste replied, sighing deeply. "I can assure you that Miss De Lastre has not the slightest affection for me. Would it were otherwise !": "Nonsense, stuff, Baptiste-you are blind; every one sees it but you, and blames you for keeping her so long in suspense. Don't you perceive how altered she is, how silent, how triste? I have sounded her value for you, which has confirmed me in what I urge. I spoke to her of the Duke's wishes that you and she might form an alliance and be much with him, and she wept with gratitude." "Then you have mentioned the subject to her ?" Montague inquired, as a spark of hope illuminated his countenance. "Of course I have hinted it. I don't say I did it in the precise words I now repeat to you; but I told her how much he wished she might marry some amiable man who would render her happy that it would be a relief to his mind. At Darmaya House, they fully desire it may take place; so go and be convinced that I am a prophetess on this occasion." Montague's hope was not strong. thought to himself "Her manner is very -- He good-natured, as a sister's might be; she con verses with me without restraint, and asks my advice-but she is unhappy!" At this crisis Ellen came into the room, and holding out her hand, asked him whether he were ill? But so entirely composed and unrestrained were her questions, that he was more than ever uncertain. They talked of Darmaya. She read him an interesting letter from Fanny, in which he was mentioned, and asked him how many days it would be ere he went back, as they missed him so much there. They then passed on to the library, where, taking a flower from Lorevaine's vase, Ellen hid it under her shawl, and flew to her own room. Lord Vahl, Lady Villetta's brother, had been much struck with Ellen's beauty at Darmaya House, and wondered who she could be. As she entered, on Montague's arm, into the concert-room, he was standing near the door, as he did not mean to remain beyond the first squall!" His glass was raised to the soft dark blue eye, and jet black glossy hair, so elegantly braided. The whole contour answered to his beau ideal precisely. 66 "Who is that ?" broke upon every one around him, in the midst of a brilliant duet. "Don't you know? Why Mrs. Montague's heir apparent, Baptiste," said Lady M. "No! no! I do not mean the man who is now putting the shawl round her; I mean the enveloped herself.” "Oh, a singer of course; they always catch cold, and carry shawls." "How beautiful she is!" Lord Vahl exclaimed ; "what an effect she will make on the stage!" "Do you think so?" subjoined Lady M. languidly glancing towards Ellen, “I should say rather pretty." In the midst of the circumvolutions and changes of posture around him, Lord Vahl stood fixed as fate, opposite to Ellen, in perfect indifference to the hints of fainting fair-ones, who longed for air, water, or an arm. They pushed by him, and wished that people would not block up the entrance. There is some virtue to be exercised in all positions: that night Lord Vahl's was patience. |