auleverer's self-reproach if he heard again of his fine
compliments to--"

"The most charming person in Europe!" cried Mauleverer, vehemently; and
the hand which he before touched he now clasped. At that instant Lucy
saw opposite to her, half hid by a copse of evergreens, the figure of
Clifford. His face, which seemed pale and wan, was not directed towards
the place where she stood, and he evidently did not perceive Mauleverer
or herself; yet so great was the effect that this glimpse of him
produced on Lucy, that she trembled violently, and, unconsciously
uttering a faint cry, snatched her hand from Mauleverer.

The earl started, and catching the expression of her eyes, turned
instantly towards the spot to which her gaze seemed riveted. He had
not heard the rustling of the boughs, but he saw, with his habitual
quickness of remark, that they still trembled, as if lately displaced;
and he caught through their interstices the glimpse of a receding
figure. He sprang forward with an agility very uncommon to his usual
movements; but before he gained the copse, every vestige of the intruder
had vanished.

What slaves we are to the moment! As Mauleverer turned back to rejoin
Lucy, who, agitated almost to fainting, leaned against the rude wall
of the but, he would as soon have thought of flying as of making that
generous offer of self, etc., which the instant before he had been
burning to render Lucy. The vain are always sensitively jealous; and
Mauleverer, remembering Clifford, and Lucy's blushes in dancing with
him, instantly accounted for her agitation and its cause. With a very
grave air he approached the object of his late adoration, and requested
to know if it were not some abrupt intruder that had occasioned her
alarm. Lucy, scarcely knowing what she said, answered in a low voice
that it was, indeed, and begged instantly to rejoin her father.
Mauleverer offered his arm with great dignity; and the pair passed
into the frequented part of the grounds, where Mauleverer once more
brightened into smiles and courtesy to all around him.

"He is certainly accepted!" said Mr. Shrewd to Lady Simper.

"What an immense match for the girl!" was Lady Simper's reply.

Amidst the music, the dancing, the throng, the noise, Lucy found it easy
to recover herself; and disengaging her arm from Lord Mauleverer, as she
perceived her father, she rejoined the squire, and remained a patient
listener to his remarks till late in the noon it bec