"At all events, we had better hear first what she has to say for herself. I can send for her to my room, when the others are dispersed, or perhaps to your study, where what we may have to state may make more impression."

It was in the latter little apartment, accordingly, that the unconscious culprit's attendance was required within the hour. She came tripping cheerfully in, for a summons thither was generally the harbinger of a small present, or of some festive invitation and intelligence; but no sooner did she perceive that Lady Helen was with her uncle, than the blithesome expression fast gave way to one of intense apprehension.

Cécile," began Sir Charles, sternly, so soon as the door closed upon her, "did you see the 'Lincoln Chronicle' this morning?"

"No, my dear uncle. I hope it has brought no bad news."

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Perhaps you may not think so, though we do. Just look over that article."

No sooner had poor Cécile's eye fallen upon the paragraph pointed out to her, than she coloured deeply, and then grew deadly pale,

as might have been expected from one of her sensitive nature, thus unceremoniously dragged before the public. Lady Helen, however, sought no such general explanation for the fact, but whispered, in a perfectly audible

tone:

"We can easily see, by her face, that there is something in it."

"Well, what do you say to that, pray?" resumed Sir Charles, addressing his niece.

Say?" replied Cécile, sadly; "that it is merely a malicious report, fabricated evidently with a view of annoying you."

A malicious report; oh, very well!" interposed Lady Helen. "We could have told you that it is malicious and injurious too in the extreme; but what we wish to know is, whether it is entirely unfounded?"

Entirely, I trust, Lady Helen."

Cécile," resumed her aunt, in her bitterest tone, "I hope that this may be one of the cases, in which the faithful can speak the real truth to heretics without committing either a mortal or a venial sin. You say that you trust it may be unfounded; surely none better than yourself can tell what we desire to learn, whether

there is any foundation at all for the rumour, or not?'

"None whatever, I firmly believe."

"None whatever, you firmly believe," reechoed Lady Helen, in a tone which might have rivalled that of Mr. Clarkson, or of any other eminent cross-questioner. "I wish that I could obtain from you what we, in heretic England, call a plain, straightforward, and honest answer. As this, however, is not to be expected, I must try to arrive at the truth somewhat more circuitously. Can you affirm that you never have exchanged with my son one single word bearing, directly or indirectly, upon the subject here alluded to?"

"I can, Lady Helen, most solemnly."

"Can you as positively assure us, that in all those whispering conversations for which, in some manner or another, such ample opportunity is afforded, no single word ever fell from him. expressive of any particular regard for yourself. Come, for this once, a plain answer.”

"It shall be a plain answer," cried poor Cécile, all trembling with indignation which she could no longer subdue. "It is cruel sport, on your part, Lady Helen, thus to torture one who,

as you know, thinks as honestly and feels more deeply than you can."

"No impertinence, if you please. We must allow, of course, for a little vexation and loss of temper, at our premature and very indiscreet interference, and we must put up with a certain amount of sighs, and groans, and clasping of hands; but I shall endure no direct insolence, remember that."

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None was intended, indeed, Lady Helen," resumed Cécile, in a somewhat calmer voice. "My sole endeavour was to remind you that the present subject is, in itself, and inevitably, very painful, and—and very embarrassing to one who has so little experience as myself."

"A deficiency," interposed Lady Helen, "which I may as well tell you at once that I attribute solely to want of opportunity."

"You cannot surely be called upon to assign any other motive," observed poor Cécile, meekly, hoping, no doubt, to conciliate somewhat, by this concession, her relentless interrogator. "As far as my intercourse with Edward is concerned, I can answer, with respect to myself, that my feelings are truly and strictly those of a grateful and affectionate sister; and, with respect to his,

that, upon the whole, they seem very much of the same nature. Still, perhaps you would do well, Lady Helen, to mention to him any misgivings which you may entertain upon

matter."

the

'I suppose, Sir Charles," said Lady Helen, "that all this, translated into old fashioned Saxon, means that the girl fancies that there is fervent attachment for her on Edward's side, to which she does not respond."

"Nothing of the kind, my dear uncle, did I dream of insinuating," cried the anxious Cécile. "You know Edward as well as I do; you are aware that he is accustomed to use language which may be either that of courteous compliment, or of sincere but fast fleeting sympathy. Such words he has occasionally, perhaps, though very rarely, addressed to me. I earnestly trust that in attributing them merely to the general habits of London or Paris society, I have not been mistaken. At all events, I am sure that they need not give Lady Helen, or you, or myself, the slightest concern."

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'Why so pray, Mademoiselle?" inquired the Baronet, who seemed really desirous of arriving at a satisfactory conclusion.