"I wonder why he thought I should stay late?" said Lady Herbert, speaking, unconscious that she was speaking; and then, touching her maid's gown, she said quickly, “What a pretty silk gown! Who gave it you?"

"Why who, to be sure, but your ladyship's ladyship! Don't you remember? On Miss Herbert's last birthday, when she completed her fifteenth year, now very near six months ago; it was then, you know, you gave us all something. Bless me, how time flies! Why, I declare there is Miss Herbert quite a woman in another year! Your ladyship will be presenting her at court, for she is a full-grown young lady, of her years, and not as some are, who don't come to their beauty till late in their spring."

Lady Herbert had heard little of all this speech; for the rustling of the silk gown was the circumstance that took precedence of every other-she could not bear her maid's presence. She fancied she was officiously attentive in undressing her, and ascribed to her discourse an unusually hurried volubility, which she

fancied was assumed, to conceal some secret.

"When did Sarah go to bed?" asked Lady Herbert, abruptly."

"Just as your ladyship went out, at her accustomed hour. She put up her doves, as usual, in their cage, and Miss Clermont carried them up stairs for her."

"Was she quite well, Martha?

sure she was quite well?"

Are you

"Bless me! my lady, yes! Why your ladyship is so flurried like, to-night, I am afeard you are not well, or perhaps you have heard some bad news like, to disturb you, for you are not like yourself."

"What do you mean, Martha? I have heard no bad news-I am not flurried; quite the contrary, only sleepy. Leave me, I wish to go to bed, I do not want you any more."

But Martha, so unaccustomed to this rough dismissal, lingered about the room, found a thousand things to do, and obeyed not.

"I told you, Martha, I wish to be alone. Leave the room."

"I wish your ladyship a very good night;" and she departed, wondering.

Lady Herbert repeated to herself the "very good night." She fancied the words were uttered in mockery. What is there that jealousy does not fancy? to what meanness does it not subdue the noblest minds of which it takes possession.

The next day Lord Herbert was all smiles and goodhumour; he spoke kindly to his wife, and fondly to his child; told the latter that "he had taken a box at one of the theatres for her and her mamma, that night, and if he could not accompany them, Lord de Montmorenci would; and," he added, "Miss Clermont, there is a place for you also, for the box is very large. -Mabel, you like a play; to-night is the new play, which all the world are mad about, so I hope you will be amused."

"If you will come with us, Francis, I am sure to be so; and," she whispered, "nothing is quite delightful to me without your pre

sence."

"I'll come if I can, I am not sure."

Lady Herbert shrank within herself. She thought, I could not have answered him so."

At that moment, Lord de Montmorenci entered. He was so much one of the family, that Lady Herbert scarcely bowed as he came into the room; but Miss Herbert ran up to him, and said, “Papa has taken a box for us to-night at the theatre, I hope you will come, too, and take care of us."

"With the greatest pleasure," he answered; if Lady Herbert will allow me."

“Oh, I shall be very glad!" she said, not caring about the matter.

Lord de Montmorenci looked rather graver than usual, but no one, except Miss Herbert, observed it.

"I must leave you at present," said Lord Herbert. "I have an engagement to choose a pair of horses for Lumley, who knows just as much about a horse as you do, Mabel, and they will cheat the unfortunate fellow if I do not keep a sharp look-out.-Good bye-don't spoil Sarah quite. Miss Clermont, don't let Mabel spoil her."

"Lady Herbert never can do any thing but what is right, my lord," replied the latter; and, at all events, I am the last person to think otherwise."

"Well, De Montmorenci, I have no hope, I see, of having Sarah taken care of, unless you become her mentor."

"I am very unfit for that office; besides, I do not scruple to say, I should always spoil every person, and every thing I love, I am sure there is much more harm done by severity than is ever done by indulgence."

"So, you are all in league against me, I see, therefore manage every thing your own way."

He opened the door to go out, and then, as if suddenly recollecting something, he returned, and whispered in Miss Clermont's ear.

"Remember, Francis, I shall expect you," said Lady Herbert, "to-night, do not disappoint me." But he was gone.

Lady Herbert approached Miss Clermont, and the latter said, "How attentive Lord Herbert is! I never thought that men could busy themselves with such minute things.