ever imputed to her since, Lady Helen still thought herself justified, at the end of six whole years, in setting down the unfortunate Saint as an invariable and determined falsifier, a surmise the original justness of which no one, we imagine, can fairly gainsay.

"We are not, unfortunately, given to be very truthful," repeated Lady Helen, "so that I am obliged, when I require precise information, to study the countenance, as well as to weigh the words of the reply. Look into our faces, pray my dear," continued she, ironically raising the chin of Cécile with her forefinger, "that we may gather at least all that you are not able to withhold. Now, tell me precisely what has occurred between yourself and Lord St. Edmunds."

The colour fled so fast from Saint Cecilia's cheek, as these words were uttered, that many would have been moved, and even alarmed, at so sudden a revulsion; but Lady Helen's nerves are constitutionally firm, and she merely continued:

"The question was well put, Tewkesbury, though I say so who should not, and you see

that we have obtained some answer, at all events."

The Earl shook his head, and looked very grave.

"That you have walked with him, and talked with him by the hour, my dear," resumed Lady Helen, "and valsed with him, contrary to my wishes, when my back was turned, and kept the whole house up, till Heaven knows what hours, I am well aware. But what his father and I have particular reasons for ascertaining is, whether any-what shall I say?-any communications have taken place between you and him, such as-such as, in short, young ladies, when they are discreet, do not exchange with young men to whom they are, and must remain, mere acquaintances. Do you under

stand my question?"

"Yes," faltered the Saint.

"Then why do you not answer it, Cécile? Is it because you are ashamed?"

"I am ashamed," gasped the indignant victim, “ashamed, Lady Helen, for the gentle heart of womanhood, that such a conversation as this should be possible."

"Thank you, my dear; but perhaps you will not oblige me to remind you why it is that I do not think the gentle heart of womanhood, as you so prettily say, a much more infallible guide than the Pope of Rome. I am not to be diverted from my righteous object, let me tell you, by any morbid sensibility. That some communications have taken place between you-you, or rather your countenance, cannot deny. Of what precise nature have they been?-No answer!-Then we must proceed constructively. Has he made you any presents for instance ?"

Cécile was about most haughtily to repel this insinuation, when the fatal recollection of the Oriental purse fell, like a sheet of ice, upon her heart, and the unuttered response died upon her lips.

"It surpasses all belief!" exclaimed Lady Helen, clasping her hands. "Most strongly have I warned that girl, that a young English gentlewoman, and one in her particular position more especially, really cannot and must not, with any regard to her self-respect, court and receive presents from young men, but it has been of no avail. No sooner had I interfered

to prevent her from being actually overloaded with gifts from my son Edward, than, when arrested on one side, the tide begins to pour in from another."

Lady Helen," cried Cécile, you have no authority for such charges as these. This is all that has occurred. Lady Templedale urged me to wager a shilling with Lord St. Edmunds about the weather; and he, having lost it, enclosed it in a little purse, which I did not know how to refuse."

"If this were really all," hastily resumed Lady Helen, most anxious to lose nothing of her vantage ground, "I do not imagine that our questions would have thrown you into such an extraordinary agitation. Something must surely have been said when the purse was so pressingly offered ?"

"Nothing, Lady Helen, beyond the offer." "And was nothing written ?"

No answer was returned.

My questions, I am afraid, are very indiscreet," resumed the triumphant Lady Helen, "but you must excuse their importunity. The mere notion that what we have thus discovered should be possible, has induced my

brother to come all the way from London, where most important concerns required his presence. Perhaps it may be necessary to inform you, that his views respecting the qualifications of his future daughter-in-law may differ very widely indeed from your own, and that he thinks himself especially bound to watch, lest his son should be beguiled into the most irreparable of errors. I will, therefore, without further comment or compliment, proceed with my investigation. The purse, I understood you to admit, was enclosed in a love letter."

"Lady Helen, I never said nor admitted any such thing."

"Then perhaps it enclosed one? We must be very minute, Tewkesbury, with present company. No? Nor a love note? Neither? But there was something written in connection with the purse. It was not a copy of verses, surely? No attempted denial this time, Tewkesbury. St. Edmunds is not a poet, is he?"

'Not that I am aware of, my dear Helen, nor do I conceive that anything short of witchcraft could make him one."

"Ah! true love performs great wonders,"