he human race, who were to exercise so powerful an influence over
her future life!

"That's a pretty cross, child," cried Mrs. Levison as Isabel stood by
her when tea was over, and she and Mrs. Vane were about to depart on
their evening visit.

She alluded to a golden cross, set with seven emeralds, which Isabel
wore on her neck. It was of light, delicate texture, and was suspended
from a thin, short, gold chain.

"Is it not pretty?" answered Isabel. "It was given me by my dear mamma
just before she died. Stay, I will take it off for you. I only wear it
upon great occasions."

This, her first appearance at the grand duke's, seemed a very great
occasion to the simply-reared and inexperienced girl. She unclasped the
chain, and placed it with the cross in the hands of Mrs. Levison.

"Why, I declare you have nothing on but that cross and some rubbishing
pearl bracelets!" uttered Mrs. Vane to Isabel. "I did not look at you
before."

"Mamma gave me both. The bracelets are those she used frequently to
wear."

"You old-fashioned child! Because your mamma wore those bracelets, years
ago, is that a reason for your doing so?" retorted Mrs. Vane. "Why did
you not put on your diamonds?"

"I--did--put on my diamonds; but I--took them off again," stammered
Isabel.

"What on earth for?"

"I did not like to look too fine," answered Isabel, with a laugh and a
blush. "They glittered so! I feared it might be thought I had put them
on _to look_ fine."

"Ah! I see you mean to set up in that class of people who pretend to
despise ornaments," scornfully remarked Mrs. Vane. "It is the refinement
of affectation, Lady Isabel."

The sneer fell harmlessly on Lady Isabel's ear. She only believed
something had put Mrs. Vane out of temper. It certainly had; and that
something, though Isabel little suspected it, was the evident admiration
Captain Levison evinced for her fresh, young beauty; it quite absorbed
him, and rendered him neglectful even of Mrs. Vane.

"Here, child, take your cross," said the old lady. "It is very
pretty; prettier on your neck than diamonds would be. You don't want
embellishing; never mind what Emma says."

Francis Levison took the cross and chain from her hand to pass them to
Lady Isabel. Whether he was awkward, or whether her hands were full, for
she held her gloves, her handkerchief, and had just taken up her mantle,
certain it is that it fell; and the gentleman, in his too quick effort
to regain it, mana