Sibyl shrank from the idea;-her pride was no longer assumed in sport. "You do well," she resumed, "to reproach me with the duplicity which I have practised. It is but just to suppose that she who has gone so far would not scruple to make the love which has been lavished upon her the inducement for her disobedience; that the pride which has yielded so much would be content to be pursued as a fugitive, and to return as a penitent."

"Then, Sibyl, you do not love me?"

"I am not used to make assurances of that kind, any more than I am inclined to submit to the charge of deceit."

"Methinks, Lady Sibyl," he replied, with somewhat of bitterness, "you very easily take offence to-night. It certainly is better to be free from one engagement before we enter upon another."

Sibyl's heart beat high, but she did not speak.

"It is possible that you may have mistaken your reasons for enjoining me to silence; for it is, no doubt, advisable that your more eli

gible friends should have the opportunity of speaking first."

Sibyl's heart beat higher, and the tears sprang to her eyes, but her head was turned away.

"We have staid too long," she said with an effort at composure.

"I thank you, Lady Sibyl," he replied, rising haughtily to depart, "for allowing me to come to a right understanding. And now—”

Her anger had never been more than a flash, -she could hardly believe him serious, and if he was, he would soon repent.

"And now," she interrupted him, relapsing into her loveliest look of raillery, "Childe Wilful would be glad of his picture again?"

it."

"You certainly will oblige me by restoring

"Why do you not ask Sir Lubin for it?"

"Lady Sibyl, I am serious; and I must beg to remark that it can be but an unworthy satisfaction to retain it for a boast to your new lovers."

"I do not see that there is any thing to

boast of in it. The face is not a particularly handsome one, and as for him for whom it is meant, he has never made a figure in any history, excepting his own letters. Here is one in my dressing-case-I pray you stand still now while I read over the wondrous exploits which you performed in your last battle, for I think you must have looked just as you do now."

There is no saying whether his resolution would have been firm enough to persist in his dire demand, had not the Lady Sibyl's attendant at that moment entered with Sir Lubin's compliments, and it was past the hour at which she had engaged to ride with him. Childe Wilful's heart was armed with a thicker coat of mail than ever, and his lips writhed into a bitter smile.

"Do not let me detain you, Lady Sibyl," he said; "perhaps your gentlewoman will be good enough to find me the picture amongst your cast-off ornaments."

This was rather too much-to be exposed in her weakest point to the impertinent surprise of her servant.

"Nay-nay," she replied in confusion, "have done for the present; if you ask me for it tomorrow I will return it."

"I shall not be here to-morrow, and it is hardly compatible with the Lady Sibyl's pride to retain presents which the donor would resume."

Her answer was a little indignant-his rejoinder was a little more provoking-the maid began to laugh in her sleeve-and Sibyl felt herself humiliated. It is but a short step, in mighty spirits, from humiliation to discord; and Sibyl soon called in the whole force of her dignity, and conjured up a smile of as much asperity as the Childe's.

"No!" she exclaimed, "it is not amongst my cast-off ornaments. I mistook it for the similitude of true affection, of generosity and manliness, and have worn it where those qualities deserve to be treasured up."

The picture was produced from its pretty hiding-place and carelessly tendered to him.

"You will, perhaps, remember," she continued, "that there was a fellow to this picture, and that the original of it has as little in

clination as other people to be made a boast of."

"Undoubtedly, Lady Sibyl-it was my intention to make you perfectly easy on that point."

The little jewel was removed coldly from his breast, and seemed to reproach him as it parted, for it had the same mournful smile with which Sibyl had sat for it when he was preparing for the wars. He gave it to her, and received his own in return. It was yet warm from its sweet depository, and the touch of it thrilled to his soul;-but he was determined for once to act with consistency. As he closed the door he distinguished a faint sob, and a feeling of selfreproach seemed fast coming over him; but then his honour!-was he to endure the possibility of being triumphed over by such an eternal blockhead as Sir Lubin of the Golden Dell?

Sibyl made her appearance in the drawingroom, soon after him, in her riding-dress. Her manner was cold and distant, and she heard him feign business at home without condescending to notice it, only there was a fever