vening."

"My acquaintance with Mr. Stanhope is of a much longer date," she said,
quickly, and rising to offer him her hand, with an air of frankness,
which, however, could not disguise a certain consciousness, which sent
the tell-tale blood to her cheeks.

"It has been far too long," said Stanhope, his countenance glowing with
delight, "to suffer me to be deceived by a slight disguise, though
nothing could be more unexpected to me, than the happiness of meeting
with you here."

"My aunt looks very inquisitive," said the young lady, withdrawing her
hand; and, turning to Mad. de la Tour, she continued, "I have been so
fortunate as to recognize an old friend in Mr. Stanhope; one, with whose
family my aunt Rossville was on terms of the strictest intimacy, during
our short residence in England."

"My sister's friends are doubly welcome to me," said Mad. la Tour; "and
I shall esteem the arrival of Mr. Stanhope particularly fortunate to
us."

"It is singular, indeed, that you should meet so very unexpectedly, in
this obscure corner of the earth!" said De Valette, endeavouring to
speak with gaiety, though he had remarked their mutual embarrassment
with secret uneasiness;--"how can you account for it, Lucie?"

"I am not philosophic enough to resolve such difficult questions," she
answered, smiling; "but, yonder are the musicians, waiting to sooth us
with the melody of sweet sounds; we are all prepared for a dance, and
here is my hand, if you will look a little more in the dancing mood,--if
not, I can choose another."

"Do as you like," said De Valette, carelessly; "strangers are often
preferred before tried friends."

"Yes, when tried friends look coldly on us," said Lucie, "as you do
now,--so, fare thee well; there is a plump damsel, with an eye like
Juno's, I commend her to thee for a partner."

She turned quickly from him, and speaking a few words to Stanhope, they
joined the dancers together. De Valette remained standing a few moments
in moody silence; but the exhilarating strains of the violin proved as
irresistible as the blast of Oberon's horn, and, selecting a pretty
maiden, he mingled in the dance, and was soon again the gayest of the
gay.

CHAPTER VII.

I deem'd that time, I deem'd that pride
Had quench'd at length my boyish flame;
Nor knew, till seated by thy side,
My heart in all, save hope, the same

LORD BYRON.

"Then you do not think Mademoiselle de Courcy ve