feigning or concealing, as you would doubtless term it," said her Ladyship angrily, and sarcastically; "but you can scarcely hope to cope with me, and I will not be detained." Her hand was again extended towards the bell, but Helen stept between.

"For your mother's sake, for your own sake, you shall not leave me thus! I did not betray, and you have nothing to fear from Mr. Elliott, since to his kindness you owe the confusion that covered and accounted for your faintness;" and, without waiting for a reply, she related all that had occurred, mingling with the relation so many expressions of affection, and such strong pledges for the honour and delicacy of Mr. Elliott, with such encomiums on his generosity, penetration, and address, that before its conclusion Catharine's arm was around her neck, and when she was silent, pleadings for forgiveness and words of contrition fell from Catharine's lips, almost for the first time of her life.

It would be waste of time to say with what warmth that embrace was received and returned, or how readily the forgiveness was accorded. Both felt this was no time to indulge in their feelings, as a quick return to the drawing-room, with as much calmness as they could assume, was desirable. But Lady Catharine's pride, though quieted was not conquered: that must be a work of time; so after the first generous feelings had a little subsided, each moment placed her degradation before her in stronger colours. She cherished an unrequited love, and worse to one of her feelings, she had betrayed this weakness to the two last people in the world to whom she would have willingly revealed it. The one, though the playmate of her childhood, a person whom, des. pite her many virtues, she had at times almost hated as a rival; the other a stranger, who had received nothing at her hands but bitter sarcasm, and ungenerous contumely. They might forgive but would they not triumph?

What right had she to expect generosity? Her own heart condemned her- she looked steadily at Helen, and met with nothing in that look but what tended to re-assure her. She felt she might trust her-but Mr. Elliott! could she-ought she to trust him? She would not bend, and yet he had a right to expect it. She must brave him then, and trust to her own powers but not to-night-no, she could not meet him to-night! How should she brook the shame of the meeting? yet better perhaps to brave him at once. She tried to resolve, but the effort was beyond her, and that proud heart again writhed

with shame and anger. "Helen," she said abruptly, "I am too ill to join the party; let me go now, and you must make excuses for me as you can, if Mr. Elliott have not, ere this, put excuse beyond my power."

"That has he not !" replied Helen warmly. "You shall go home if you wish it, but not under your present impressions," for the struggle had not escaped her penetration. "That there is much to pain your delicacy in Mr. Elliott's knowledge I do not deny; but nothing, believe me, to awaken fear of further disclosure, for he is incapable of such baseness. Why should he draw attention upon himself to screen you, if he were capable of revenge? One hint, however slight-even a look-and his triumph had been com plete, without the odium of betrayal. If I could but describe his manner, his sympathy, the delicacy with which he turned all suspicion aside, you could doubt no longer. Besides, he knows not you are aware of his knowledge, as, but for yourself I should not have disclosed it; and surely, Catharine, you may depend on me? To return and listen with calmness to the conversation, which, to avoid suspicion, I must originate, is a measure too bold for me to propose to any but yourself, yet will it free you from much anxiety."

Catharine felt the truth of this, but it was a great effort, and she hesitated.

"And he will require neither explanation, apology, or thanks, by word or look, or sign?"

"Neither of all these; only a little common politeness. I must bargain for that," replied Helen, smiling.

"I will not call you an angel, for that is what the gentlemen call us, when they mean to deceive; but I will say you are the dearest and kindest of human beings, and you shall see how civil I can be. One minute to recover, and not a person shall suspect."

"I hope it may be so," thought Helen; "but Mr. De Roos is not easily deceived

CHAPTER V.

Those clasped hands-that look-that thrilling tone→
Oh! who of old e'er braced his armour on

For holier, higher deed-for hope more bright--
To succour age, and revel in the light

Of a young spirit's loving, grateful mood

Sole monarch of her heart's rich solitude!

That shriek--that touch-those words that bid him stay-
But urge and light him on his onward way.

Fond heart, be still! the sacrifice must be!
And that high soul prove worthy even thee;

Although the world's loud praise-Fame's brightest guile--
Are but as tinsel to thy glowing smile.

ΤΙΤΑΝΙΔ.

LADY CAROLINE leant on Helen's arm as she entered the drawing-room, and against her will there was a slight, a very slight trembling, as she passed Mr. Elliott; but only Helen was aware of it.

"Room, lordlings, room!" said our heroine gayly, waving aside those who would have crowded round with inquiries.

"I have persuaded Catharine to return, notwithstanding a violent head-ache; but I am too judicious a physician to allow her to be troubled with questions; and, for the general satisfaction, I can assert that a sufficient quantity of sal volatile, eau de Cologne, &c. &c. has been administered; and as she has fainted before this day, I shall not allow an inordinate share of blame to be attached to the heat of my room or the perfume of my pet tuberoses. Here, dear Catharine, you shall recline on this sofa, like a sultana, whilst we,. your faithful subjects, endeavour to amuse you;" and she arranged the cushions so as to conceal her friend's face. "One more

cushion."

Mr. Elliott's ready hand supplied it, at the same time that he delicately avoided meeting the look of the sufferer.

"Thank you, Mr. Elliott," said Catharine, in a low voice, touched by his conduct.

"What are you at, Mr. de Roos?" exclaimed Helen; "placing the lamp so as to glare on Catharine's face? Who ever

heard of such a thing for a head-ache? Do pray remove it."

"Pardon me! I deemed it unworthy my gallantry to permit such beauty to linger in the shade; and I thought you and your friend ever sought the light."

"Of course, in general; but with a head-ache even light may he hateful. And now, how stands the game? for Catharine insisted on being no interruption, and hopes her message on the subject was attended to."

Partly; but it was carried on with no spirit during your absence. I believe the task of singing a song which 'none of the company have ever heard before, rests with Miss Mahon."

"A most barbarous imposition it is too; for they are all so malicious as to put a veto on every song I propose."

"You will find some foreign ones in that portfeuille, never heard in England, and you will look over and assist her in the choice, Mr. De Roos."

This half request, half command, could not be disputed, and one pair of penetrating eyes was removed from her friend; for the portfeuille was at the opposite end of the room.

"I

"What a dreadful account you were giving of Mr. Dormer!" said Helen, addressing Mr. Mahon, as he leant against the couch, and screened Catharine from observation. am inclined to hope it is not correct; for, I am sure, Lord Alford would in that case have gone to him immediately, and he has not even heard of it."

"I believe the report was very much exaggerated, but Throgmorton has set me right."

Mr. Throgmorton was appealed to, questions were put and answered, the gentleman's character rather discussed, and in fitting time Helen turned the conversation..

Nothing new was learned, and the free and open, yet warm and friendly manner, in which she spoke of Mr. Dormer, was calculated to allay all suspicion, even in the minds of judicious observers. She neither hurried nor spun out the conversation; neither needlessly spoke of her personal knowledge of him, nor shrunk from an allusion to it; her praise was warm and decided, but such as young ladies bestow on friends, not on lovers.

Even Catharine was satisfied with her words and manner, and felt towards her as she had never felt before.

One or two still thought he might be lord of Hurlestone, but then they were people who certainly had no genius for

young

developing a mystery. It is strange that ladies cannot praise young gentlemen as they deserve, but that half the world will nod, try to look wise, and fancy there is something in it. Yet is it fortunate for young ladies, that half the world is so unwise.

"Now, Caroline, for the song," said Helen, "for I am sure the choice will do credit to you and Mr. De Roos."

"Not to Mr. De Roos, for he had so little taste for the task assigned him that he deserted me almost immediately."

"Indeed! I should have thought Mr. De Roos incapable of such a want of gallantry."

"Has Miss Mahon been telling tales of me?" he inquired with, as Helen thought, a little confusion in his manner.

"That has she; and I have been amazed to hear of your breach of politeness."

"Rather of my want of knowledge, and my old fault, a dread of ridicule. I know so little of music, that I feared to commit myself by advice, and retreated in prudence."

"This really alters much the case, and yet never was fear of ridicule more fearlessly expressed; and I thought you had fully understood that an imposing manner bears more weight than wiser matter. But hush!" placing her taper finger on her lips, as he would have answered.

By the time the song and its accompanying compliments had ceased, some of the elders found out it was late, and the roads dangerous; so more than one carriage was ordered.

"It is quite beautiful to hear Miss St. Maur praise her friends," remarked Mr. De Roos to Lady Catharine, taking advantage of the confusion occasioned by the departures. "Is it true that our fair hostess is to be the future Mrs. Dor. mer? The whole country rings with it!"

The question was abrupt, perhaps purposely so, to elicit the truth; but it should have been more careless, to prevent all suspicion of a greater than common interest in the questioner, and his eyes sought the lady's face with a painfully penetrating look.

Fortunately for her, that face was still veiled from the light, and the gentleman's mind was strongly impressed with a notion wide of the truth, or, adept as she was, thrown off her guard by the abrupt question, her agitation might have betrayed her. A gallant knight was near to step forward to her rescue unasked, and it might be, unthanked.

"I beg your pardon," said Elliott, advancing between the lady and her interrogator; "but will you allow me to