must work it for my
end and try to shape it to my form. If I had refused to be a leader, I
should not have prevented the movement; I should only have secured my
own insignificance."

"But my father has not these fears; he is full of hope and exultation,"
said Sybil. "And surely it is a great thing that the people should have
their Parliament lawfully meeting in open day, and their delegates from
the whole realm declaring their grievances in language which would not
disgrace the conquering race which has in vain endeavoured to degrade
them. When I heard my father speak the other night, my heart glowed
with emotion; my eyes were suffused with tears; I was proud to be his
daughter; and I gloried in a race of forefathers who belonged to the
oppressed and not to the oppressors."

Morley watched the deep splendour of her eye and the mantling of her
radiant cheek, as she spoke these latter words with not merely animation
but fervour. Her bright hair, that hung on either side her face in long
tresses of luxuriant richness, was drawn off a forehead that was the
very throne of thought and majesty, while her rich lip still quivered
with the sensibility which expressed its impassioned truth.

"But your father, Sybil, stands alone," at length Morley replied;
"surrounded by votaries who have nothing but enthusiasm to recommend
them; and by emulous and intriguing rivals, who watch every word and
action, in order that they may discredit his conduct, and ultimately
secure his downfall."

"My father's downfall!" said Sybil. "Is he not one of themselves! And is
it possible, that among the delegates of the People there can be other
than one and the same object?"

"A thousand," said Morley; "we have already as many parties as in St
Stephen's itself."

"You terrify me," said Sybil. "I knew we had fearful odds to combat
against. My visit to this city alone has taught me how strong are our
enemies. But I believed that we had on our side God and Truth."

"They know neither of them in the National Convention," said Morley.
"Our career will be a vulgar caricature of the bad passions and the low
intrigues, the factions and the failures, of our oppressors."

At this moment Gerard and Hatton who were sitting in the remote part
of the room rose together and advanced forward; and this movement
interrupted the conversation of Sybil and Morley. Before however her
father and his new friend could reach them, Hatton as if some point
on which he h