my oath will
not let me swerve from. I will guide thee home, for I know well all the
purlieus of this evil den of London. Thou hast but to name the suburb in
which thy father dwells."

Sibyll involuntarily raised her wimple, lifted her beautiful eyes to the
stranger, in bewildered gratitude and surprise. Her childhood had passed
in a court, her eye, accustomed to rank, at once perceived the high
degree of the speaker. The contrast between this unexpected and delicate
gallantry and the condescending tone and abrupt desertion of Marmaduke
affected her again to tears.

"Ah, worshipful sir!" she said falteringly, "what can reward thee for
this unlooked-for goodness?"

"One innocent smile, sweet virgin!--for such I'll be sworn thou art."

He did not offer her his hand, but hanging the gold-enamelled rein over
his arm, walked by her side; and a few words sufficing for his guidance,
led her across the ground, through the very midst of the throng. He felt
none of the young shame, the ingenious scruples of Marmaduke, at the
gaze he encountered, thus companioned. But Sibyll noted that ever and
anon bonnet and cap were raised as they passed along, and the respectful
murmur of the vulgar, who had so lately jeered her anguish, taught her
the immeasurable distance in men's esteem between poverty shielded by
virtue, and poverty protected by power.

But suddenly a gaudy tinsel group broke through the crowd, and wheeling
round their path, the foremost of them daringly approached the nobleman,
and looking full into his disdainful face, exclaimed, "Tradest thou,
too, for kisses? Ha, ha! life is short,--the witch is outwitched by
thee! But witchcraft and death go together, as peradventure thou mayest
learn at the last, sleek wooer." Then darting off, and heading her
painted, tawdry throng, the timbrel-girl sprang into the crowd and
vanished.

This incident produced no effect upon the strong and cynical intellect
of the stranger. Without allusion to it, he continued to converse with
his young companion, and artfully to draw out her own singular but
energetic and gifted mind. He grew more than interested,--he was both
touched and surprised. His manner became yet more respectful, his voice
more subdued and soft.

On what hazards turns our fate! On that day, a little, and Sibyll's pure
but sensitive heart had, perhaps, been given to the young Nevile. He had
defended and saved her; he was fairer than the stranger, he was more
of her o