he said, " requests that you will honour

him with a few minutes conversation, either in this apartment or in the library." Reluctant as Eleonora felt to the idea of meeting him alone, after what had passed between them in the morning, as she doubted not that it was with the intention of renewing the subject that he now petitioned to see her, still considering it impossible to return an absolute refusal to his request, she said-" Tell your Lord that I will meet him in the library."

Lord Fitzroy received her at the door of the apartment, and having led her to a seat, he said" Will you, angelic Eleonora, pardon this intrusion upon moments which might perhaps be more happily employed? Yes, you will pardon it; the native excellence of your heart will lead you to derive satisfaction from the power which you possess of calming the anxieties of a fellow-being." He paused, and as Eleonora did not reply, he continued thus: "Do I deceive myself, when I

entertain

entertain the idea that you were not offended by the address which the fervor of my feelings this morning prompted me to make to you ?”

"Offended! it is impossible that I should have been, my Lord,” replied Eleonora ; "I must ever consider myself honoured by the profession which you have made to

me.

"Honoured, fair lady," he returned, " is a term most cold and unsatisfactory, when applied to the ardor with which my heart burns towards you. But since you avow that I have not offended you, convert the negative happiness, which you in this declaration bestow on me, into absolute joy, by adding to it a hope for the accomplishment of the most exalted wish of my soul."

"Were I to encourage such a hope, my Lord," replied Eleonora, "I should cease to esteem myself, for being guilty of an act of deceit towards you, to whom my most grateful and honourable conduct is alone

alone due-as my friend, there is no one to whom it can grant me either superior joy or pride, to be allowed to name by that valued title, than Lord Henry Fitzroy."

"Your candour delights me," answered Lord Henry, "as it assures me of your esteem-equally it afflicts me, in the evidence which it bears to my fears, that your heart is not at your own disposal. O had it pleased Heaven to have made me the chosen, blissful being, who had addressed himself to your ungained affections!" As he uttered these words he rose, and wandered about the library, overcome by the violence of his feelings. After a few moments of silence-"O enviable Sir Hildebrand!" burst from his lips.

"Sir Hildebrand, my Lord!" echoed Eleonora.

"Yes, adored Lady," he exclaimed; "is he not an object of envy to me, when he possesses your love?"

"Ere Eleonora could reply, the door of:. the apartment was opened, and one of Lord Fitzroy's squires appearing, said— "Some strangers, my Lord, at the foot of the drawbridge, demand to see you."

"Who are they?" asked Lord Fitzroy. "I have already said, my Lord, that they are strangers," was the only reply. "What their number?" the subsequent demand.

"Not more than six or seven,” returned the squire.

"Admit them into the castle, and say that I attend them presently," said Lord Henry.

The squire retired with his message.

Lord Fitzroy immediately turned to Eleonora, and said "You appeared surprised when I mentioned Sir Hildebrand."

"Could I be otherwise, my Lord,” replied Eleonora, "when you united his name with my affections?"

"Pardon me, I entreat you," he returned, "mine was not a willing offence-I have been

been misled in what I said-Sir Hildebrand himself is my authority."

"Sir Hildebrand has then been guilty of a most unpardonable error," answered Eleonora. "O my Lord," she added, question yourself whether Sir Hildebrand can be the man who--" and suddenly repenting that she had begun to draw this distinction to one who was himself a suitor for her preference, she became silent.

"O most excellent Eleonora!" claimed Lord Fitzroy, "my heart revolted at the declaration which he made, and it was a true prophet. But, alas! this conviction is of little avail to my happiness-there still exists one who rivals me you esteem."

in

Again the door of the library was opened, and another messenger entering, said, "The strangers are impatient for your coming, my Lord."

"Have they been introduced into the castle, as I commanded?" inquired Lord Fitzroy.

"They