of pleasure to the giver. The
room was blooming with beauty and brightness. But Miss Haye
was not there; and as soon as they could withdraw from the
principal group the two brothers made their way to an inner
room, where she stood, holding as it were a court of her own;
and an unpropitious monarch she would have looked to her
courtiers had they been real ones. Her face was as lowering as
Mr. Herder had described it; settled in pain and pride; though
now and then a quick change would pass over it, very like the
play of lightning on a distant cloud; -- fitful, sharp, and
traceless. Just as Rufus and Winthrop had made their bow, and
before they had time to speak, another bow claimed Elizabeth's
return, and the tongue that went therewith was beforehand with
theirs. The speaker was a well dressed and easy mannered man
of the world; but with a very javelin of an eye, as ready for
a throw as a knight's lance of old, and as careless what it
met in its passage through humanity.

"You have wandered out of your sphere, Miss Elizabeth."

"What do you mean, sir?" -- was given with sufficient keenness.

"The bright constellation of beauty and happiness is in the
other room. Stars set off one another."

"I shine best alone," said Elizabeth.

"You disdain the effect of commingled and reflected light?"

"Yes I do, heartily, in this case. I wish for no glory that
does not belong to me."

"But does not the glory of your father and mother belong to
you?" said the gentleman. He spoke with the most smooth
deference of manner, that all but covered his intent; but the
flush and fire started into Elizabeth's face reminding one of
the volcano again. Her eye watered with pain too, and she
hesitated; she was evidently not ready with an answer. Perhaps
for that reason it was given with added haughtiness.

"You need not trouble yourself to reckon what does or what
does not belong to me. I know my belongings, and will take
care of them."

"You are satisfied with them," said the gentleman, "and
willing they should stand alone?"

"I am willing they should take their chance, sir."

"I know no one who can better say that," remarked Rufus.

"With better confidence, or better grounds do you mean?"

"I hope you do not need to be told!" said Rufus, his eye
sparkling half with fun and half with admiration at the face
and manner with which Elizabeth turned upon him.

"Which leaves the lady at liberty to suppose what she
pleases," said the