red Sybil, with a sad double
meaning.

"Do not press on us so, if you please, sir!" said Death, turning and
staring angrily at the unoffending little Grand Turk, and Fenella the
dumb girl, who happened to be immediately in the rear. Having thus
brow-beaten the imaginary enemy, Death turned to his companion and said:

"King Harold and Fair Edith were lovers, and these who assume their
parts are also lovers, and they take their related parts from a
sentimental motive! You are tired! let me lead you to a seat!" suddenly
exclaimed the stranger, feeling his partner's form drooping heavily from
his side.

She was almost fainting, she was almost sinking into a swoon. She
permitted her escort to take her to a chair, and to fetch her a glass of
water. And then she thanked him and requested him to select another
partner, as she was too much fatigued to go upon the floor again for an
hour, and that she preferred to sit where she was, and to watch the
masquerade march on before her.

But Death politely declared that he preferred to stand there by her and
share her pastime, if she would permit him to do so.

She bowed assent, and Death took up his position at her side.

CHAPTER XVII.

DRIVEN TO DESPERATION.

For only this night, as they whispered, I brought
My own eyes to bear on her so, that I thought,
Could I keep them one half-minute fixed--she would fall
Shrivelled!--She fell not; yes, this does it all.--BROWNING

As the circle revolved before them, Sybil saw no one but Lyon Berners
and Rosa Blondelle, and these she saw always--with her eyes, when they
were before them; with her spirit, when they had revolved away from
them. She saw him hold close to his heart the arm that leaned on his
arm; she saw him press her hand, and play with her fingers, and look
love in the glances of his eyes, and speak love in the tones of his
voice, although no _word_ of love had been uttered as yet.

At last--oh! deliverance from torture!--the music ceased, the
promenaders dispersed to their seats.

The relief was but short! The band soon struck up a popular quadrille,
and the gentlemen again selected their partners and formed sets. Lyon
Berners, who had conducted his fair companion to a distant seat, now led
her forth again, and stood with her at the head of one of the sets.

"There! you see! they _are_ lovers! I wonder who _