had been sent to sweep away the snow from the path leading to the tennis court, had not quite finished their task. James and Elizabeth therefore, finding the air too cold for standing still to be agreeable, proceeded to walk briskly up and down that part of the pathway which had already been swept. Elizabeth had slipped her arm through Rosamond's, thus obliging her to walk with them, while she detailed to James, half playfully, half seriously, the history of her friend's encounter with the grey gentleman. James looked at Rosamond. somewhat suspiciously, while Elizabeth related the little adventure, and remarked abruptly, as his sister concluded her story, that there was no accounting for these mistakes; after which, he began telling Rosamond, with much emphasis and energy, an anecdote of how the queen, his mother, had mistaken a country clergyman of the English Church for her own confessor; and how astonished and embarrassed the worthy divine was at her reverent salutation. James so seldom deigned to take any notice at all of Rosamond beyond what courtesy required, that she felt she ought to be extremely interested in what he was saying, and could not account for her attention presently beginning to wander, while her eyes were fixed on a figure which was advancing towards them along the path. The Duke of York, as he turned towards her, saw, from the expression of her face, that she was not listening; and, following the direction of her wandering eyes, he caught sight of the same figure, which was now rapidly

approaching the little party. A sudden pause in his story was the consequence of his rapid glance, while he hastily looked over his shoulder, as if to see who among their attendants were immediately following them. Only Lady Carlisle, and the demure Mistress Marian Scrope, with her eyes cast down on the ground, were in sight; for Mr. Kirkpatrick and little Anne Thistlewood, who were sauntering somewhat slowly along, were hidden from him by some projecting out-building, which also prevented him from seeing that Maurice had issued from the tennis court, and was running to overtake the Duke, and inform him that all was ready for their game. Rosamond, meanwhile, had never moved her eyes from the stranger. This time she would satisfy herself once for all. No after-doubts should torment her as to whether she had really seen her brother or not; no scruples should deter her from solving for herself the important question, whether Henry and the gentleman in grey were indeed identical. That the approaching figure was that of the latter, one moment's glance had sufficed to show her; though the short black curls were gone, and the dress was changed to one of a much commoner description. These changes, however, did not deceive her; indeed the brown locks, now exposed to view, harmonized so much better with the countenance before her, than the black hair had done, that all her impressions of the day before revived with redoubled force. Henry it must be, and no other. How could she let him pass her without one word? and, with eager

face, and lips parted to pronounce his name, she was about to spring forward to detain him, when she felt the Duke's hand on her arm; and, while he tightened his grasp till it almost hurt her, he whispered, 'Don't speak, or you'll ruin him.'

The stranger's face changed for an instant as he glanced at Rosamond's, but he scarcely paused in his walk, as he held out a packet to James, saying in a low voice, 'From the queen.'

But the Duke shook his head, biting his lip, and turning away from the tempting letter, answered shortly, 'I can't; I have given my word.'

An expression of surprise passed over the young man's features; but he moved on at once, for there was no time for hesitation. Lady Carlisle and her companion were approaching; and Maurice, though he had been obliged to moderate his speed, in order to suit the more sober pace of the ladies before him, was not far off. Elizabeth and James presently turned back to meet them; and poor Rosamond was glad for once to fall behind with Mistress Marian Scrope, who was far too dignified and lofty to notice that the young girl's face was crimson with mingled eagerness and disappointment, and that she had much ado to keep the tears which filled her eyes from running down her cheeks. James walked on some way in front with Maurice, whose head was brimful of the projected game, but who found his eloquence on the subject considerably chilled by his companion's absent assent to his remarks, or cold silence when reply was not absolutely needed. Their

arrival at the tennis court put an end to the conversation; but though James appeared eager to begin the game, his spirits did not improve under its influence; and Maurice's enjoyment of his favourite sport was a good deal marred by his companion's gloomy countenance and ungracious behaviour.

CHAPTER VII.

P

DEFEATED PLANS.

Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame?'

HENRY VI.

HE Princess has asked me to sup with her to-night, Maurice.'

Again! Why, you supped with her only two nights ago.

be in France with Henry, for all I since we have been here.'

I might as well have seen of you

'Indeed, dear Maurice, I am just as sorry as you are that we see so little of one another. How I wish you were asked to sup too! I thought perhaps the Duke

'Ah! I have had enough of the Duke to-day. I can dispense with his company for the rest of the evening; and he with mine. I cannot tell you how unbearable he has been this afternoon. And that reminds me, Rosamond, of what I have been wanting to speak to you about ever since this morning. Did you notice, when we were in the park to-day—' Rosamond felt the colour rushing to her cheeks;

F