nce, from _scorn_
to _fear;_ it is one of the most striking pieces of acting
that can occur, and most interesting to observe." He stopped,
and fixed his eyes upon me; I riveted mine upon the stage.

In a moment, with a totally different manner, I heard him say,
"Pray, Mr. Lovell, do you know anything of my new gamekeeper,
Robert Harding?"

I did not start, I did not move an eyelash; I heard Henry
answer in a husky, uncertain manner, "Very little."

I felt that he had lost his self-command; and by a strong
effort I retained mine. I made two or three remarks in an
indifferent tone, and then asked Edward to change places with
me, alleging that the light was in my eyes. Mr. Escourt left
the box and seated himself in one exactly opposite a moment
afterwards. Some friends of Edward came in, and while he was
speaking to them, I whispered to Henry, "Does he know? Is it
all over with me? If he does, I destroy myself! I have lived
through much; but to be in _that_ man's power... Never! never!"

"Hush, take care; do not get excited. I am _sure_ he does not
know. Harding may have dropped some obscure hint and I see
clearly by his manner what he suspects; he thinks Harding was
a messenger, or something of that sort, between us. It is all
the better that he should think _that;_ but I must try to get
Harding away from him. Ellen, my home is insufferable; the old
woman is come, and watches me like a lynx; Alice looks
miserable, and she sees it."

"But then, for Heaven's sake exert yourself! Make her happy;
do not neglect her as you do. Oh, Henry, is she unhappy? that
is worse than anything! Would to God I were dead! you would
all be at peace!"

"Hush, do not talk so wildly. I will exert myself, if you
promise never to be harsh or cold to me again. Do not turn
away; I do not ask you to love me. Don't I know that you adore
_him?_ Don't I see it in your eyes? don't I hear it in your
voice, twenty times in the day? Would you not have been mine
long ago, but for that cursed attachment to Edward..."

"The curtain has dropped, Ellen; don't you intend to go?"

I hastily got up, put on my cloak, and taking Edward's arm,
went down stairs with him. When we got into the carriage, I
knew by the determined silence which he maintained, that he
was displeased with me.

As we were waiting for some tea in the drawing-room, he said
to me abruptly, "Pray, why did you treat Escourt in the way
you did this evening?"

"I have a bad opinion o