in love?--that could hardly be it; he felt no desire whatever to
go down on his knees before her and swear by the eternal stars. Besides,
she was so far away from him--living in such a different sphere--among
occupations and surroundings and traditions entirely apart from his.
Falling in love?--with the isolated, the unapproachable fisher-maiden,
the glance of whose calm hazel eyes would be death to any kind of
theatrical sentiment? It was all a confusion and a perplexity to him;
but at least he was glad to know that he would sit at the same table
with her that night at dinner, and, thereafter, perchance, have some
opportunity of talking to her in the drawing-room, where a certain
incident, known to themselves alone, would serve as a sort of secret
tie. And he was cheered to remember that, although he was leaving this
still and beautiful neighborhood (where so many strange dreams and
fancies and new and welcome experiences had befallen him), he was not
bidding good-bye to all of these friends forever. Miss Honnor Cunyngham
would be in Brighton in November; and Brighton was not so far away from
the great city and the dull, continuous, thunderous roar that would then
be all around him.

CHAPTER XIII.

A NEW EXPERIENCE.

Was it possible in the nature of things that Prince Fortunatus should
find his spirits dashed with gloom--he whose existence had hitherto
been a long series of golden moments, each brighter and more welcome
than the other; Even if he had to leave this still and beautiful valley
where he had found so much gracious companionship and so many pleasant
pursuits, look what was before him; he was returning to be greeted with
the applause of enthusiastic audiences, to be sought after and courted
and petted in private circles, to find himself talked about in the
newspapers, and his portraits exhibited in every other shop-window--in
short, to enjoy all the little flatteries and attentions and triumphs
attaching to a wide and not ill-deserved popularity. And yet as he sat
at this farewell luncheon on the day of his departure, he was the only
silent one among these friends of his, who were all chattering around
him.

"I'm sure I envy you, Mr. Moore," said his charming hostess, "going away
back to the very centre of the intellectual world. It will be such a
change for you to find yourself in the very midst of everything--hearing
about all that is going on--the new books, the new plays, the new
pictures. I