not as we would will. And for the bondage, Prince, fetters will gall, though made of silk and wreathed with flowers!"

"But I would have you see and feel no fetter: you shall rule all, save in the simple matter of departure. Ask! and it shall be granted:-command! and you shall be obeyed !"

"Forgive me, if I put your highness to an instant trial," said Margaret quickly. "My aunt requires my presence ; —have I permission to retire ?"

"Is it thus you would reward my wish to please you ?" demanded Rupert in a vexed

tone.

"Your highness pledged your word. Must I ask and be refused ?"

"No, no,” replied Rupert hurriedly, hurt at her grave rebuke. "I will not detain you against your will; but only wish your will were still to linger."

"I thank your highness for permission to withdraw,"

“Since you will go,—at least allow me to

conduct you to the door," and taking her hand, he led her across the room with the respectful gallantry so common in those days.

As she passed by Roland Eden, her steps wavered, and a brighter glow came on her cheek: but she felt that Rupert's eye was on her, and she made no parting courtesy-gave no sign of recognition.

“Farewell! Think of me kindly till we meet again, sweet Margaret. Good angels guard you. I will have all things ordered for your comfort,” said the vexed prince, bowing low upon the hand he held.

“Farewell! I wish your highness all good fortune, and more generous thoughts."

"To horse, Captain Eden!" exclaimed the prince impatiently, after listening for some moments to the departing steps of his fair hostess. “Give your men orders to guard the ladies as they would their colours, if they value my favour : to let no one intrude on their privacy, and to do

their pleasure in all things, save in permitting their departure. Say nothing of this visit ; and trust to me for promotion," he added, bending a stern look on his young officer. "As

the poet says,

'Who can trust a woman's mind?

It is fickle as the wind:

Warm to-day, and cold to-morrow.'

"Your highness may rely on my discretion, without the promise of promotion," replied Captain Eden proudly.

"It is well and now lead the way."

The prince strode hastily through the hall after Roland, who would fain have lingered, could he have done so without exciting suspicion, in the hope that the damsel, whom he saw looking down from the stairs, or even the sober serving-man, who opened the outer door for their

grim smile of satisfaction, might be

egress with a

the bearer of

a message from Margaret Wilton, some slight

-

apology, however cold, however formal, for hav

ing left the room without a parting look or word:

VOL. I.

but Rupert, by keeping close beside him, effectually prevented the delivery of a message, had there been any to deliver.

After enforcing the orders giving by Captain Eden to the troopers by an emphatic" See that you do your duty!" and the additional direction to admit no one to hold speech with the ladies without a written pass from himself, the prince galloped off, unaccompanied by Roland, whom he despatched with a message to Viscount Grandison concerning the assault to be made in the morning, impatient of the restraint imposed by his presence.

"If he breathe a word of this, he shall rue his babbling," muttered Rupert, looking fiercely after his departing messenger. "I was little less than idiot to let him abide in the chamber; but I forgot him and all beside in the glory of her pr sence. She has grown in beauty sunderstood its though I deemed that impo.ve intended to womanly-nay, queenly dignit mer engagement, difference with which she hert mar her present

splendid prospects. He knew not,

and he was

little like to know, for he was too proud to

visit her again unasked, even had not the prince's order to the troopers made such a proceeding dangerous, if not impracticable."

Such were the thoughts which disturbed Roland Eden's mind, till, unable to decide as he wished, and unwilling to decide as he feared, he nded as the prince had done by saying,—

li.

"Who shall know a woman's mind?

It is fickle as the wind:

Warm to-day, and cold to-morrow."

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.