. She was looking into the saloon, and I
followed the direction of her kindling eyes. Julian was at that moment
crossing the threshold. She had seen him ascending the steps, and her
heart sprang forth to meet him. I saw her hesitate, look round for her
mother, who was not near her, then, while the rosy cloud deepened to
crimson, she floated into the saloon.

I went to Mrs. Linwood, who was in the back parlor, to tell her of the
arrival of the new guest. She started and changed color. His coming was
the seal of Edith's destiny. "I will not come," he had said to her in
parting, "till I can bring abundant testimonials of my spotless lineage
and irreproachable reputation."

I had drawn her apart from the company, expecting she would be agitated
by the annunciation.

"Should not Ernest know of this?" I asked. "He did not abjure all the
rites of hospitality. Oh, for Edith's sake, tell him of Julian's
arrival, and entreat him to come forth and welcome him."

"I have been to him once and urged him to greet Mr. Regulus, and merely
offer him the usual congratulations on his marriage, but he persistingly
refused. I fear he is killing himself by this spirit-scourging vow. I
never saw him look so pale and wretched as he does to-night. I dread
more and more the consequences of this self-inflicted martyrdom."

As I looked up in Mrs. Linwood's face, on which the light of the
chandelier resplendently shone, I observed lines of care on her smooth
brow, which were not there two weeks before. The engraver was doing his
work delicately, secretly, but he was at work, and it was Ernest's hand
that guided the steel as it left its deepening grooves.

"O! that I dared to go to him!" said I; "may I, dear mother? I can but
be denied. I will speak to him as a friend, coldly if it must be, but
let me speak to him. He can but bid me leave him."

"You too, my darling," said she, in a low, sad-toned voice, "you are
wilting like a flower deprived of sunshine and dew. But go. Take this
key. He locks himself within, and all you can do he will not grant
admittance. The only way is to use this pass-key, which you must return
to me. I must go and welcome Julian."

She put the key in my hand, and turned away with a sigh. I trembled at
my own audacity. I had never forced myself into his presence, for the
dullness of his vow was upon me, and the hand that would have removed
the icy barrier he had raised between us was numbed by its coldness.

The way