own before, and who might possibly have ceased to remember him, his
manner could not have been more studiously diffident and respectful.

"I rejoice to see your Ladyship here," said he, in a low, deliberate
voice, "where, on the last time we spoke together, you seemed uncertain
of coming."

"Very true, Mr. Linton," said she, not looking up from her work; "my
Lord had not fully made up his mind."

"Say, rather, your Ladyship had changed yours," said he, with a cold
smile,--"a privilege you are not wont to deny yourself."

"I might have exercised it oftener in life with advantage," replied she,
still holding her head bent over the embroidery frame.

"Don't you think that your Ladyship and I are old friends enough to
speak without innuendo?"

"If we speak at all," said she, with a low but calm accent.

"True, that is to be thought of," rejoined he, with an unmoved quietude
of voice. "Being in a manner prepared for a change in your Ladyship's
sentiments towards me--"

"Sir!" said she, interrupting, and as suddenly raising her face, which
was now covered with a deep blush.

"I trust I have said nothing to provoke reproof," said Linton, coldly.
"Your Ladyship is well aware if my words be not true. I repeat it,
then,--your sentiments _are_ changed towards me, or--the alteration is
not of _my_ choosing--I was deceived in the expression of them when last
we met."

"It may suit your purpose, sir, but it can scarcely conform to the
generosity of a gentleman, to taunt me with acceding to your request for
a meeting. If any other weakness can be alleged against me, pray let me
hear it."

"When we last met," said Linton, in a voice of lower and deeper meaning
than before, "we did so that I might speak, and _you_ hear, the avowal
of a passion which for years has filled my heart--against which I
have struggled and fought in vain--to stifle which I have plunged into
dissipations that I detested, and followed ambitions I despised--to
obliterate all memory of which I would stoop to crime itself, rather
than suffer on in the hopeless misery I must do."

"I will hear no more of this," said she, pushing back the work-table,
and preparing to rise.

"You must and you shall hear me, madam," said he, replacing the table
and affecting to arrange it for her. "I conclude you do not wish this
amiable company to arbitrate between us."

"Oh, sir! is it thus you threaten me?"

"You should say compromise, madam. There can be no threat