of the
amusement is to come. Gabriella has a poor opinion of my nursing, so I
will not cast my pearls away. I am glad _I_ have not any nerves, my dear
little sensitive plant. It _is_ a terrible thing to be too attractive to
venture abroad!"

The latter part of the sentence was uttered in a whisper, while
suppressed laughter convulsed her frame.

Ernest did not open his lips as he conducted me from the theatre to the
carriage, and not a word was spoken during our homeward ride. The
rattling of the pavements was a relief to the cold silence. Instead of
occupying the same seat with me, Ernest took the one opposite; and as we
passed the street lamps they flashed on his face, and it seemed that of
a statue, so cold and impressive it looked. What did he suspect? What
had I done to cause this deep displeasure? He knew not of the note which
I had concealed, of the words which still hissed in my ears. The bold
gaze of the stranger would naturally excite his anger against him, but
why should it estrange him from me? I had yet to learn the wiles and the
madness of his bosom enemy.

When I took his hand, as he assisted me from the carriage I started, for
it was as chill as ice, and the fingers, usually so pliant and gentle in
their fold, were inflexible as marble. I thought I should have fallen to
the pavement; but exerting all the resolution of which I was mistress, I
entered the house, and passed under the dim glitter of the silvery
drapery into my own apartment.

I had barely strength to reach the sofa, on which I sunk in a state of
utter exhaustion. I feared I was going to faint, and then they would
loosen my dress and discover the fatal note.

"Wine!" said I to the chambermaid, who was folding my opera cloak, which
I had dropped on the floor; "give me wine. I am faint."

I remembered the red wine which Dr. Harlowe gave me, after my midnight
run through the dark woods, and how it infused new life into my sinking
frame. Since then I had been afraid to drink it, for the doctor had
laughingly assured me, that it had intoxicated, while it sustained. Now,
I wanted strength and courage, and it came to me, after swallowing the
glowing draught. I lifted my head, and met the cold glance of Ernest
without shivering. I dared to speak and ask him the cause of his anger.

"The cause!" repeated he, his eyes kindling with passion. "Who was the
bold libertine, before whose unlicensed gaze you blushed and trembled,
not with indignation,