ever told me that you were engaged to be married. You leave me,
who thought to have won your friendship, to hear what concerns you so
intimately from a comparative stranger."

"Who told you?"

"That woman with eyes that pry and lips that scheme, to whose house you
took me."

"Mrs. Poyntz! is it possible? When?"

"This afternoon. I met her in the street; she stopped me, and, after
some unmeaning talk, asked if I had seen you lately; if I did not find
you very absent and distracted: no wonder;--you were in love. The young
lady was away on a visit, and wooed by a dangerous rival."

"Wooed by a dangerous rival!"

"Very rich, good-looking, young. Do you fear him? You turn pale."

"I do not fear, except so far as he who loves truly, loves humbly,
and fears not that another may be preferred, but that another may be
worthier of preference than himself. But that Mrs. Poyntz should tell
you all this does amaze me. Did she mention the name of the young lady?"

"Yes; Lilian Ashleigh. Henceforth be more frank with me. Who knows? I
may help you. Adieu!"

CHAPTER XXVII.

When Margrave had gone, I glanced at the clock,--not yet nine. I
resolved to go at once to Mrs. Poyntz. It was not an evening on
which she received, but doubtless she would see me. She owed me an
explanation. How thus carelessly divulge a secret she had been enjoined
to keep; and this rival, of whom I was ignorant? It was no longer a
matter of wonder that Hargrave should have described Lilian's peculiar
idiosyncrasies in his sketch of his fabulous Pythoness. Doubtless Mrs.
Poyntz had, with unpardonable levity of indiscretion, revealed all of
which she disapproved in my choice. But for what object? Was this
her boasted friendship for me? Was it consistent with the regard she
professed for Mrs. Ashleigh and Lilian? Occupied by these perplexed and
indignant thoughts, I arrived at Mrs. Poyntz's house, and was admitted
to her presence. She was fortunately alone; her daughter and the colonel
had gone to some party on the Hill. I would not take the hand she held
out to me on entrance; seated myself in stern displeasure, and proceeded
at once to inquire if she had really betrayed to Mr. Margrave the secret
of my engagement to Lilian.

"Yes, Allen Fenwick; I have this day told, not only Mr. Margrave, but
every person I met who is likely to tell it to some one else, the secret
of your engagement to Lilian Ashleigh. I never promised to conceal it;
on the cont