e arrived at the Consul's mansion--he rushed in, dashed up the
staircase, and entered the saloons. At the window of one, gazing on the
sunset, was Henrietta Ponsonby--her gaze was serious, but her
beautiful countenance was rather tinged by melancholy than touched
by gloom--pensive, not sorrowful. By her side lay her guitar, still
echoing, as it were, with her touch; and near it the Albanian scarf, on
which she had embroidered the name of her beloved. Of him, then, were
her gentle musings? Who can doubt it? Her gentle musings were of
him whom she had loved with such unexampled trust. Fond, beautiful,
confiding maiden! It was the strength of thy mind as much as the
simplicity of thy heart that rendered thee so faithful and so firm! Who
would not envy thy unknown adorer? Can he be false? Suspicion is for
weak minds and cold-blooded spirits. Thou never didst doubt; and thou
wast just, for, behold, he is true!

A fluttering sound roused her--she turned her head, and expected to see
her gazelle: it was Spiridion; his face was wreathed with smiles as he
held towards her a letter. She seized it--she recognised in an instant
the handwriting she had so often studied--it was his! Yes! it was his.
It was the handwriting of her beloved. Her face was pale, her hand
trembled; a cloud moved before her vision; yet at length she read, and
she read these words:--

'If, as I hope, and as I believe, you are faithful to those vows which
since my departure have been my only consolation, you will meet me
to-morrow, two hours before noon, in our garden. I come to claim my
bride; but until my lips have expressed to you how much I adore you, let
nothing be known to our father.'

CHAPTER IX.

_The Mystery Revealed_

MY DEAREST Henrietta,' said the Consul as he entered, 'who, think you,
has returned? Lord Bohun.'

'Indeed!' said Henrietta. 'Have you seen him?' 'No. I paid my respects
to him immediately, but he was unwell. He breakfasts with us to-morrow,
at ten.'

The morrow came, but ten o'clock brought no Lord Bohun; and even eleven
sounded: the Consul sought his daughter to consult her--he was surprised
to learn that Miss Ponsonby had not returned from her early ramble. At
this moment a messenger arrived from the yacht to say that, from some
error, Lord Bohun had repaired to the casino, where he awaited the
Consul. The major mounted his barb, and soon reached the pavilion. As
he entered the garden, he beheld, in the distance,