leman but her husband, is the most corrupt and demoralizing in the
world. It makes wedded vows a mockery, and marriage an unholy and
heartless rite."

"Do you expect to revolutionize society?" she asked.

"No; but I expect to keep my wife unspotted from the world."

"I am glad she has so watchful a guardian," said Mr. Regulus, regarding
me with his old-fashioned, earnest tenderness. "We hear very flattering
accounts," he added, addressing me, "of our young friend, Richard Clyde.
He will return next summer, after a year's absence, having acquired as
much benefit as most young men do in two or three."

I could not help blushing, for I knew the eyes of Ernest were on me. He
could never hear the name of Richard with indifference, and the prospect
of his return was far from being a source of pleasure to him. Richard
was very dear to me as a friend, and I was proud of his growing honors.
Yet I dared not manifest the interest I felt.

Never had I been so supremely happy, as since my reconciliation with
Ernest. I felt that he had something to forgive, much to forgive, and
that he was magnanimous to do it, considering the weakness with which he
struggled. Never had I loved him so entirely, or felt such confidence in
my future happiness. Yet the moment the name of Richard Clyde was
mentioned, it sounded like a prophecy of evil.

Oh that he would transfer to Edith the affections given to me, and then
he could bind Ernest to his heart by the sacred bonds of fraternity!

CHAPTER XXXIX.

The few days which Mr. Regulus passed in the city, were happy ones to
me. He had never visited it before; and Ernest showed him more respect
and attention than I had seen him bestow on other men. I had never
betrayed the _romance_ of the academy; and not dreaming that my
preceptor had ever been my lover, he tolerated the regard he manifested,
believing it partook of the paternal character. Perhaps, had he remained
long, he would have considered even this an infringement on his rights;
but, to my unspeakable joy, nothing occurred to cloud our domestic
horizon during his stay. Once or twice when the name of Richard Clyde
was mentioned, I saw the shadow of _coming events_ on the brow of
Ernest; but it passed away, and the evil day of his return seemed very
far off.

I could not regret Margaret's departure. There was so entire a
dissimilarity in our characters, and though I have no doubt she
cherished for me all the friendship she was c