sing through the shrubbery.

I watched till I saw the gate open. I could just distinguish a head
above the palings moving along the road. I easily recognised it as that
of the disappointed seducer.

As I turned back, towards the drawing-room I forgot that such a creature
existed!

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

AN HOUR OF BLISS.

Sweet is gratitude under any circumstances; how much sweeter when
expressed in the eyes and uttered by the lips of those we love!

I re-entered the room, my heart swelling with delightful emotions.
Gratitude was poured forth in, lavish yet graceful expressions. Before
I could utter a word, or stretch out a hand to hinder, the beautiful
girl had glided across the room, and fallen into a kneeling posture at
my feet! Her thanks came from her heart.

"Rise, lovely Aurore!" said I, taking her unresisting hand, and leading
her to a seat. "What I have done is scarce worth thanks like thine.
Who would have acted otherwise?"

"Ah, Monsieur!--many, many. You know not this land. There are few to
protect the poor slave. The chivalry, so much boasted here, extends not
to _us_. We, in whose veins runs the accursed blood, are beyond the
pale both of honour and protection. Ah me, noble stranger! you know not
for how much I am your debtor!"

"Call me not _stranger_, Aurore. It is true we have had but slight
opportunity of conversing, but our acquaintance is old enough to render
that title no longer applicable. I would you would speak to me by one
more _endearing_."

"Endearing! Monsieur, I do not understand you!"

Her large brown eyes were fixed upon me in a gaze of wonder, but they
also interrogated me.

"Yes, endearing--I mean, Aurore--that you will not shun me--that you
will give me your confidence--that you will regard me as a friend--a--
a--brother."

"You, Monsieur! you as my brother--a white--a gentleman, high-born and
educated! I--I--oh Heavens! what am I? A slave--a slave--whom men love
only to _ruin_. O God!--why is my destiny so hard? O God!"

"Aurore!" I cried, gathering courage from her agony, "Aurore, listen to
me! to me, your friend, your--"

She removed her hands that had been clasped across her face, and looked
up. Her swimming eyes were bent steadfastly upon mine, and regarded me
with a look of interrogation.

At that moment a train of thought crossed my mind. In words it was
thus: "How long may we be alone? We may be interrupted? So fair an
opportunity m