The Haunted Chamber

, and also in another room behind connected with it by folding-doors, everybody of note in the county is already assembled.

ersation ceases, and all faces turn curiously to the sma

t before a critical audience. Nobody, of course, hopes openly for a break-down, but

rect old lady out of Lady Gertrude Vining. But Florence Delmaine, as Kate Hardcastle, leaves nothing to be desired, and many are the complimentary speeches uttered from time to time by the audience. Arthur Dynecourt too had not overpraised his own powe

d the curtain falls amidst loud applause. Florence comes before the curtain in response to frequent calls, gracefully, half reluctantly, with a soft warm blush upon her cheeks and a light in her eyes that renders her remarkable loveliness only more apparent. Sir Adrian, watching her with a heart faint

the footlights, and who joins in her triumph,

spirit that suggests detestation of the one that hands it, and that her smile wit

t shown him by Mrs. Talbot. His eyes are blinded by jealousy; he can not see the purity and tru

with Sir Adrian, and has endeavored to avoid his society. She is oppressed with the thought that he has read her secret love f

his taxing her with her duplicity, and so makes strenuous efforts to keep herself apart from him. They have already drifted so far apart that to-night, when the play has come to an end, and

tin and pearls-as dancing is to succeed the earlier amusement of the evening-goes silently down-stairs, but, instead of pursuing her way to the ball-r

ancholy in the music that attunes itself to her own sorrowful reflections. Presently the tears steal down

ntil they stop close beside her, and a voice that m

at has happened? What has

a sitting posture; this he does so gently that, as she remembers all she has heard, and his cousin's assurance that he has almost

acting before so many strangers, that has upset me. It is over now.

ce even in his direction, so fearful is she of fu

with you shall be sacred to me. But-pardon me-I still think you are in grief, and, believe me

" murmurs Florence

r champion. There are others, no doubt, whose happiness lies in the fact that they may render you a service when

ce responds in a low voice. "It would be imposs

necessity be much apart, it will still be a comfort to me to know t

ove me!" This thought is almost insupportable. Her pride rising in arms, she subdues all remaining traces of her late emotion, and, turnin

ndeed be far distant from each other, so far apart that the

with his cousin. "And-and-do not be angry with me; but I would ask you to consider long and earnestly

llow you," exclaims

trust me; you will

ide," persists Florence

to mind all Mrs. Talbot had said about her slyness, and feels disheartened. At least he has not deserved distr

ttempt at a smile, "Tell me that you too will accept mine should you be in any danger. Remember, the m

you rest here awhile until you f

guests are awaiting you. Probably"-with a faint smile-"your partn

ay fortunately, because I think"-glancing at her tenderly-"I have been able to bring back the smiles to your face

lessly to one side. "I wish you would dispossess yourself of that idea. And, do not stay here, th

ian. "See, this waltz is only

he passes his arm round her waist, and presently they are lost among the throng of whirling dancers,

by her attentions, letting her eyes rest upon Florence as she waltzes past her with Sir Adrian, colors warmly, and, biting her lip, forgets the honeyed speech she was about to bestow upon her companion, who is

e answer to one of Sir Adrian's sallies. Where is Dynecourt, that he has not been on the spot to prevent this dance, she wonders. She

rges from the throng, and, the dance being at an

away with him, and suffers him to lead her to another part of the room. And when she dances with him it is with ev

f these symptoms, going up to Dora

d of wretched comfort to him to be near Florence's true frien

hty man, why did you not come sooner? I thought you had forgotten me alt

own house has always a bad time of it looking af

mpossible?" asks Dora, laughing,

ushing hotly. "She is the least impossible person I ev

uietly. This is a mere feeler, but she throws it out with such an air of certainty that Sir Adrian is comp

ther upset by the acting, I think, and I just stayed w

who now knows all s

ays Adrian gayly. "Come, let me see your card." He looks at

re sure it would not be an unkind thing to do, I could scratch

sitive it will be awfully unkind of you to deprive any fellow o

but her heart bea

wing her pencil across the name written

e?" queries Adrian. "Is there nobody else you

ut you shall have it all your own way. Here"-giving him her card-"tak

ing out three names on her card, after which they m

ith Dynecourt, stops abruptly near the door of a conservatory, and, leaning

d in cold consent, he leads her to a cushioned seat that is placed almost opposite to the

r Adrian. At least, if he has guessed her secret, she knows now that he does not despise her. There was no trace of contempt in the gentleness, the tenderness of his manner. And how kindly h

ruminating on this point when her companion's voice brings her back to the present. She had so far forgotten his existe

is saying impressively. "It carries you

lm questioning glance that might well have daunted a bet

ave taken-has it been a plea

in her tones. Still he is untouched by her scorn. He even grows more defiant, as

singly beautiful you look to-night, you would perhaps understand in a degree the power you possess over your fellow

s laugh, that even makes his

rself as an aspirant to my favor?" she says

though plainly disconcerted by her merriment.

," she returns, in a tone

lamely in his conversation, at a loss to find some topic that may interest her

's, and Dora is looking up at him with a bright expressio

very wisely," observes Arthur Dynecourt, so

panion, roused suddenly in

can see. Adrian's marriage with Mrs. Talbot has be

as these words drop from his lips. She restrains her emot

n Arthur blandly. "Before you honored the room with your presence, he had dan

vening until now, but Florence, not having been present at the openi

h Sir Adrian, I feel sure Dora would tell me

o convince her that there is some truth in his statement. "Well, well," he adds, "one can not bl

all and wormwood to her, each sentence a reminder-a reproach. Only the other day this man now beside her had accused her of making

umed commiseration. "This evening has been too much for you.

ne dreary drama, in which she acts a part from morning until night? Is there to b

she says; "and the heat is terrib

ing to her side. He would have support

she retorts, with quick passion, for whi

veyed to you. Do not blame me. I thought you, as well as every one

nce casts a glance of anger and defiance in his direction, and, sweepi

ra Talbot, going to her room about two o'clock, sto

calls Flore

" says smooth-tongued Dora, advancing toward her. "How early you left us! I shouldn'

y a little fatigued,"

qualified success! You reigned over everybody, darling. Nobody could hope eve

rough which the moonbeams are flinging their pale rays. She is clad in a clinging white dressing-g

felt so thoroughly happy." Florence shudders visibly. "You enjoyed yourself, of course?" continues Dora. "Everyone raved about you. You made at least a dozen c

ks at her qu

rs," she says, her voice trembling. "Do you mean me to

and tries to blush, but in reality grows a shade paler. She is playing for

, shaking her blonde head. "A lover-no! How

you wish; but at least, if what I imagine be true, I can congratul

er eyes upon Dora's cheek. There is so much sweetness and abandonment of self in this action that Dora for the moment

h I am alluding. 'Trifles light as air' float through my brain, and gladden me in spite of my common sense, which

ht castles," observe

fade,' sings the poet. And now to spe

se-" mec

ee you had made it up wit

lorence, turning

time, and from something he said, I think he would be rather please

that? He discus

py in the earlier part of the evening, and that he had to stay a considerable

sweet visionary offer of friendship he had made to her. No; she could not submit to be talked about by him, and the woman he loves! Oh, the bitter pang it costs her to say thes

tation makes her fear that there was more in that tête

control shocked him. You should have a greater command over yourself. It is not good form to betray

or astonishment," says Florence haughtily; "an

mpossible people-those were his very words; and really altogether-I may be wrong-I believed he alluded to you. Of course,

Florence, with pale lips, but head erec

xplains Dora hurriedly, feeling that she has gone t

ite sure

ood-night, dearest; go to bed instead of sitting the

," says Flo

uses Mrs. Talbot to feel almost afra

your complexion, faultless as it always is, will not be up to the mark t

yly to the unresponsive Florence,