n the daily sight and contemplation of
a bliss that his own folly or madness have forever denied him; and yet,
to that same suffering do I cling, as the last tie that binds me to
existence. To see you in the world, to watch you, to mark the
effect your grace and beauty are making on all around you--how every
fascination calls up its tribute of admiration--how with each day some
new excellence develops itself, till you seem inexhaustible in all the
traits of graceful womanhood, this has been the cherished happiness of
my life! It was to this end I labored to induce the acceptance of that
invitation that once more, beneath the same roof, I should see you for
days long. Your own heart must confess how I have never before the world
forgotten the distance that separates us. There is, then, no fear that
I should resign every joy that yet remains to me for any momentary
indulgence of speaking to you as my heart feels. No, no, Laura, you have
nothing to dread either from my hate or my love."

"To what end, then, was it that you asked me to meet you here to-day?"
said she, in a voice in which a touch of compassionate sorrow was
blended.

"Simply to entreat, that if I should succeed in persuading his Lordship
to accept this visit, you would throw no obstacle in the way on your
side."

"And if I consent, shall I have no cause to rue my compliance?"

"So far as depends on me, none, on my honor!"

It had been better for Linton's cause that he had omitted the last
words, at least: as Laura turned away her head, a curl of insolent
meaning was on her lip, but she did not speak, and they now walked
along, side by side, in silence.

"You will go, then?" said he, at last, in a low whisper.

"Yes," said she, faintly.

Linton stole a glance at her unperceived, and suddenly the sparkle of
his eyes and the elation of his whole expression showed the transport of
pleasure he experienced.

"Now for one word of caution," said Linton, as, drawing closer to her
side, he assumed the tone of sincere friendship. "Lord Kilgoff has just
revealed to me, in deep confidence, that he has been much offended by
certain attentions shown to you by this Mr. Cashel, and which were of
so marked a nature that he was almost determined never to admit his
intimacy in future. Had his Lordship known you as well as I do, he might
have spared himself this anxiety. I believe such savage excellence as
his has few attractions for you; nor, save the admiration that