(only for a short time, I hope) another.
Master Arundel purposes to leave our solitude to-morrow."

The lady looked inquiringly at the young man, who answered with a
blush:

"A message brought by Philip doth constrain my departure."

"A sweet constraint," said the knight, smiling. "Fear not, Master
Arundel, that Lady Geraldine will blame thee for obeying an impulse as
natural as the love of a bee for a flower. The diamond eyes of
Mistress Eveline would furnish apology for a deeper crime."

"I trust all is well with sweet Mistress Eveline," said the lady.

"All well, may it please you, madam, save for the injurious durance
which, in despite of his promise, and regardless of all honor as a
man, the villain Spikeman, who calls himself her guardian, imposes on
her."

"He will relent," said the lady. "It may be he desires only to try the
strength of thy devotion. The flame of thy love will burn the brighter
for the trial."

"I have no hope of such result, Arundel. He is so wedded to evil,
that to do a good action would be to him a pain."

"Nay," said the lady, "it cannot be there is a creature who loves evil
for its own sake. That were quite to extinguish the heavenly spark.
Judge not unhappy Master Spikeman so harshly. Commend me to the love
of Mistress Eveline," she added, rising, "when you see her, and say
that I wear her sweet image in my heart."

So saying, she bowed and left the apartment, preceded by the little
girl, the others rising, and remaining standing as long as she was in
sight.

CHAPTER VII.

Thinkest thou that I could bear to part
From thee and learn to halve my heart?
Years have not seen, time shall not see,
The hour that tears my soul from thee.

BRIDE OF ABYDOS.

It was early on the morning of the next day when Arundel started on
his way to Boston, whither the message delivered by the soldier had
somewhat hastened his return. There was, indeed, to one not in love,
nothing in it to require such haste, and the explanation of his
departure is to be found only in the natural desire of a lover to be
near his mistress. Something might happen; he would seek an occasion
to see her; perhaps a plan might be devised; at least, his wishes
could not be promoted by keeping himself at a distance. While the
young man, musing on sweet hopes and vague unformed designs, is
threading his way through the forest, we will take advantage of the
opportunity to explain in a few words what the r