came confused and halted, and finally left off altogether
and turned to read the admiration in the azure blue of her eyes.

"Thou art from France, and dost thou know many of the great
musicians?"

"Aye, a great many--"

"Hast thou met the great Alessandro Scarlatti? I understand he created
a _furore_ as he passed through Paris from London."

"'Tis true, and I was most fortunate to hear him play portions of
'_L'Onesta nell Amore._' Queen Christina herself accompanied him to
Paris, and wherever he played she was not far away."

"We used much of his sacred music at the convent; 'tis such warm,
tender and sympathetic harmony. He must be a very great man!"

"He hath a son, Domenico, not two years old, who already shows a great
ear for his father's music; and they say he will even be a greater
musician than his father. It is possible Alessandro will visit
London."

"'Twould be wondrous fine! I will go and hear him play, surely
"--Cedric interrupted their musical converse,--

"'Tis cold for thee, I fear, in this damp place; I beg thee to allow
me to lead thee to the library." And without further words he led her
away, through the library and on beyond to the saloon, where he begged
her to favour him with songs he was quite sure she could sing, naming
those he most wished to hear.

Then in came Lady Bettie Payne with three or four others, and they
babbled and chattered, and as Lord Cedric stood near he heard them
speak of Lady Constance' indisposition.

"Ah, poor Constance, I was not aware she was ill!" said he, and he
went forth to inquire of her condition and find if aught could be done
for her enlivenment to health and spirits. When he returned and
saw Katherine so surrounded, and his guests engaged at cards and
battledore and music, and some in converse as to whether they should
ride forth to the chase, he was somehow stirred to think of Constance
lying alone in her chamber; and there recurred to him the tale of the
night before; 'twas she that loved him. He felt sorry for her if such
a thing were true; but 'twas not possible, and to convince himself he
would go to her and give her the brotherly kiss as heretofore, and
take notice if there was aught in her manner to denote verification of
the miserable gipsy's story. He would put an end to such feeling, if
'twere there. He sent word if he might see her for himself, and be
assured her illness was not feigned, in order she might shirk the
duty--like a wicked sist