God
save me from the meanness of envy, the baseness of jealousy. I fear I
did not do justice to young Clyde, when I warned you of his attentions.
I believe he is a highly honorable young man. Ernest Linwood,"--he
paused, and his shaded eyes sought mine, with a glance of penetrating
power,--"is, I am told, a man of rare and fascinating qualities. He is
rich beyond his need, and will occupy a splendid position in the social
world. His mother will probably have very exalted views with regard to
the connections he may form. Forgive me if I am trespassing on forbidden
ground. I did not mean,--I have no right,"--

He stopped, for my confusion was contagious. My face crimsoned, even my
fingers were suffused with the rosy hue of shame. Nor was it shame
alone. Indignation mingled with it its deeper dye.

"If you suppose, Mr. Regulus," said I, in a wounded and excited tone,
"that _I_ have any aspirations, that would conflict with Mrs. Linwood's
ambitious views, you wrong me very much. Oh! if I thought that he, that
she, that you, or anybody in the world could believe such a thing"--

I could not utter another word. I remembered Mrs. Linwood's countenance
when she entered the library. I remembered many things, which might
corroborate my fears.

"You are as guileless as the unweaned lamb, Gabriella, and long, long
may you remain so," he answered, with a gentleness that disarmed my
anger. "Mine was an unprompted suggestion, about as wise, I perceive, as
my remarks usually are. I am a sad blunderer. May heaven pardon the pain
I have caused, for the sake of my pure intentions. I do not believe it
possible for a designing thought to enter your mind, or a feeling to
find admittance into your heart, that angels might not cherish. But you
are so young and inexperienced, so unsuspecting and confiding;--but no
matter, God bless you, and keep you forever under his most holy
guardianship!"

Wringing my hand so hard that it ached long afterwards, he turned away,
and descended the steps more rapidly than he had ever done before. In
his excitement he forgot his hat, and was pursuing his way bareheaded,
through the sunny atmosphere.

"He must not go through town in that way, for the boys to laugh at him,"
thought I, catching up his hat and running to the door.

"Mr. Regulus!" I cried, waving it above my head, to attract his
attention.

He started, turned, saw the hat, run his fingers through his long hair,
smiled, and came back. I met h