l rung from the chamber above.

"That is Lady Matilda's bell," said Miss Woodley; "she is coming to take
a short walk. Do you wish to see her?"

Though it was the first wish of his heart, he paused, and said, "Will
you plead my excuse?"

As the flight of stairs was but short, which Matilda had to come down,
she was in the room with Miss Woodley and Mr. Rushbrook, just as that
sentence ended.

She had stepped beyond the door of the apartment, when perceiving a
visitor, she hastily withdrew.

Rushbrook, animated, though trembling at her presence, cried, "Lady
Matilda, do not avoid me, till you know that I deserve such a
punishment."

She immediately saw who it was, and returned back with a proper pride,
and yet a proper politeness in her manner.

"I beg your pardon, Sir," said she, "I did not know you; I was afraid I
intruded upon Miss Woodley and a stranger."

"You do not then consider me as a stranger, Lady Matilda? and that you
do not, requires my warmest acknowledgements."

She sat down, as if overcome by ill spirits and ill health.

Miss Woodley now asked Rushbrook to sit--for till now she had not.

"No, Madam," replied he, with confusion, "not unless Lady Matilda gives
me permission."

She smiled, and pointed to a chair--and all the kindness which Rushbrook
during his whole life had received from Lord Elmwood, never inspired
half the gratitude, which this one instance of civility from his
daughter excited.

He sat down, with the confession of the obligation upon every feature of
his face.

"I am not well, Mr. Rushbrook," said Matilda, languidly; "and you must
excuse any want of etiquette at this house."

"While you excuse me, Madam, what can I have to complain of?"

She appeared absent while he was speaking, and turning to Miss Woodley,
said, "Do you think I had better walk to-day?"

"No, my dear," answered Miss Woodley; "the ground is damp, and the air
cold."

"You are not well, indeed, Lady Matilda," said Rushbrook, gazing upon
her with the most tender respect.

She shook her head; and the tears, without any effort either to impel or
to restrain them, ran down her face.

Rushbrook rose from his seat, and with an accent and manner the most
expressive, said, "We are cousins, Lady Matilda--in our infancy we were
brought up together--we were beloved by the same mother--fostered by the
same father"----

"Oh!" cried she, interrupting him, with a tone which indicated the
bitterest anguish.