long the path that led into the heart of the woodland. As she drew
near, Keene could not help thinking of the first time his eyes had
lighted on her, mounting the zigzags of the Castle-hill. There was still
the same elasticity of step, the same imperial carriage of the graceful
head; but a less observant eye would have detected the change in her
demeanor. The pretty petulance and provocative manner which, contrasting
with the royalty of her form and feature, contributed so much to her
marvelous fascinations, had departed, he feared, never to return.

Many instances occur daily where the same painfully unnatural gravity
exasperates us, when its cause can not be traced up to either guilt or
sorrow. Ah! Lilla, there are many who think that your wild-flower wreath
was a more becoming ornament than that diamond circlet--bridal gift of
the powerful baron. Sweet Eugenia! faces that were never absent from
your _levees_ in old times you have missed at your court since you
wedded Caesar.

Both were outwardly quite calm, but who can guess which of those two
strong hearts was most conscious of tremor or weakness when Royston and
Cecil met? His hand at least was the steadier, for her slight fingers
quivered nervously in his grasp. He did not let them go till he began to
speak.

"Whatever your decision may be after hearing me, I shall always thank
you for coming here. It was like you--to give me the chance of speaking
for myself. At least no falsehood or misconception shall stand between
us. Will you listen to my story?"

"I came for no other purpose," Cecil said, and she sat down on the trunk
of a fallen olive: she knew there would be need to husband all her
strength. Thinking of these things, in after days, she never forgot how
carefully he arranged his plaid on the branches behind her, so as to
keep off the gusts of wind that ever and anon blew sharply. At that very
instant, as if there were some strange sympathy in the elements, the sun
plunged into the bosom of a dull leaden cloud, and there came a growl of
distant thunder.

"I shall not tax your patience long," Royston went on. "It shall only be
the briefest outline. But do not interrupt me till I have ended; it is
hard enough to have to begin and go through with it. I can not tell you
why I married. Many people asked me the question at the time, and I have
asked it of myself often since, but I never could find any satisfactory
answer. The woman I chose was then very beaut