"THE A NOVEL. BY THE AUTHOR OF WIFE'S TRIALS." "Nous sommes si accoutumés à nous déguiser aux autres, qu'enfin nous IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1856. The Author reserves the right of translation. 249. x. 337. VEILED HEARTS. CHAPTER I. 'It is a golden chain, let down from heaven, That falls like sleep on lovers, and combines In equal knots. This bears no brands, nor darts, To murder different hearts But in a calm and God-like unity, Preserves community.' BEN JONSON. "I KNOW what you are thinking of," said Maggy, as she and Mrs. Cleveland sat together that same day; and, with her usual fearless candour, though it was evidently an VOL. III. B effort, she continued- You want to know about the Baron." "In one sense, you are right; but let me first say, that, though I feel much for his disappointment, which must be great, after having cherished such a hope, I am egotist enough to rejoice that you are not yet separated from us.” "Perhaps that, to some extent, influenced me; and yet I do not know," she said, musingly for I suppose, if I had loved him, I should have gone with him joyfully." "Then you really do not love him. How is that?" enquired Mrs. Cleveland, quite forgeting her husband's injunction. "I do not very well know. I suppose he is not the kind of person I should love.” "He is, surely, handsome;" and not till she had said so, did Mrs. Cleveland remember that this was a recommendation, which could influence only a vulgar mind. "Yes, perhaps, too much so," was the unconcerned reply; "you are going to laugh at me; but there is a want of command in his appearance, which I cannot admire.” "I grant you, he is fair-but each feature is good; and I have always fancied you preferred blue eyes and brown hair, rather than the romantic hero style of jet and raven, which turns the brains of most girls.' "Yes-but, then, the blue must be very dark; and the brown locks must cover a head in which there is intellect of the highest order. Above all, the face must have that decision and resolution, in which, I fear, Baron Von Rüdiger is rather deficient." Ah! Maggy, Maggy, was this only a fancy portrait? Had you no original faintly traced in your memory? Mrs. Cleveland was sadly transgressing commands, for she again spoke. "But he is amiable." very "And very affectionate-witness his loving reverence for his mother." 66 'Yes; but here, dear aunt, I fear that I |