arch innocence of expression that
lighted a countenance cast in the most delicate mould--she looked, in every
feature, the child of rank and fashion; so delicate, so fragile, with
those _petites_ features, and that soft pink flesh, and pouting coral
lips; and, in her very essence, she had all those qualities that belong to
a spoiled child of fashion--wayward, violent in temper, capricious, and
volatile. She started from her reverie: she had not expected to see
Mardyn, and betrayed much emotion at his abrupt entrance; for, as though
in an agony of shame, she buried her face in her hands, and turned away
her head, yet her attitude was very feminine and attractive, with the
glossy ringlets of rich brown hair falling in a shower over the fair soft
arms, and the whole so graceful in its defenselessness, and the
forbearance it seemed to ask. Yet, whatever Mardyn's purpose might be, it
did not seem to turn him from it; the sternness on his countenance
increased as he drew a chair, and, sitting down close beside her, waited
in silence, gazing at his companion till she should uncover her face. At
length the hands were dropped, and, with an effort at calmness, Lady Alice
looked up, but again averted her gaze as she met his.

"When we last met, Lady Alice, it was under different circumstances," he
said, sarcastically. She bowed her head, but made no answer.

"I fear," he continued, in the same tone, "my congratulations may not have
seemed warm enough on the happy change in your prospects; they were
unfeigned, I assure you." Lady Alice colored.

"These taunts are uncalled for, Mardyn," she replied, faintly.

"No; that would be unfair, indeed," he continued, in the same bitter tone,
"to Lady Alice Daventry, who has always displayed such consideration for
all my feelings."

"You never seemed to care," she rejoined, and the woman's pique betrayed
itself in the tone--"You never tried to prevent it."

"Prevent what?"

She hesitated, and did not reply.

"Fool!" he exclaimed, violently, "did you think that if one word of mine
could have stopped your marriage, that word would have been said? Listen,
Lady Alice: I loved you once, and the proof that I did is the hate I now
bear you. If I had not loved you, I should now feel only contempt. For a
time I believed that you had for me the love you professed. You chose
differently; but though that is over, do not think that all is. I have
sworn to make you feel some of the misery you cause