, who seemed born to outwit him.

"You heard that fervent declaration, madam?" said she to Mrs. Vane. "I
present to you, madam, a gentleman who regrets that he mistook the real
direction of his feelings. And to you, sir," continued she, with great
dignity, "I present a lady who will never mistake either her feelings or
her duty."

"Ernest! dear Ernest!" cried Mrs. Vane, blushing as if she was the
culprit. And she came forward all love and tenderness.

Her truant husband kneeled at her feet of course. No! he said, rather
sternly, "How came you here, Mabel?"

"Mrs. Vane," said the actress, "fancied you had mislaid that
weathercock, your heart, in Covent Garden, and that an actress had seen
in it a fit companion for her own, and had feloniously appropriated it.
She came to me to inquire after it."

"But this letter, signed by you?" said Vane, still addressing Mabel.

"Was written by me on a paper which accidentally contained Mrs. Vane's
name. The fact is, Mr. Vane--I can hardly look you in the face--I had a
little wager with Sir Charles here; his diamond ring--which you may
see has become my diamond ring"--a horrible wry face from Sir
Charles--"against my left glove that I could bewitch a country
gentleman's imagination, and make him think me an angel. Unfortunately
the owner of his heart appeared, and, like poor Mr. Vane, took our play
for earnest. It became necessary to disabuse her and to open your eyes.
Have I done so?"

"You have, madam," said Vane, wincing at each word she said. But at
last, by a mighty effort, he mastered himself, and, coming to Mrs.
Woffington with a quivering lip, he held out his hand suddenly in a
very manly way. "I have been the dupe of my own vanity," said he, "and
I thank you for this lesson." Poor Mrs. Woffington's fortitude had
well-nigh left her at this.

"Mabel," he cried, "is this humiliation any punishment for my folly? any
guaranty for my repentance? Can you forgive me?"

"It is all forgiven, Ernest. But, oh, you are mistaken." She glided to
Mrs. Woffington. "What do we not owe you, sister?" whispered she.

"Nothing! that word pays all," was the reply. She then slipped her
address into Mrs. Vane's hand, and, courtesying to all the company, she
hastily left the room.

Sir Charles Pomander followed; but he was not quick enough. She got a
start, and purposely avoided him, and for three days neither the public
nor private friends saw this poor woman's face.

Mr. and Mrs. Vane