The Girl Behind The Mask

o the lawn. He lay near them, and Miss Marie did not see him till close upon him. She started and slipped on the last step, recovered herself, and glided on, with a glance of unmistakable co

om the rustic seat where she stood beside her tutores

ened his pace as he heard Miss Marie say, "Don't call him; he can

asked, looking rather

o the house, for she is in great pain; and don't lie there anymore t

ll you allow me?" And

which annoyed him and answered coldly,

d quietly, said the pain would soon be over, and when settled on the couch in Emily's room dismissed him with the briefest thanks. Considering th

usual and with a slight limp in her pace. Sir Brandon was there, talking with his nephew, and they merely acknowledged her presence by the sort of bow which gentlemen bestow on ladies. As she slowly made her way to her

n, I fancy. Not exactly a beauty, but accomplished

oice at his elbow, and there was Miss

d Sir Brandon, sincerely ho

are very forgiving, Miss Marie, to wait up

id, "but not my pleasure." And she returned to her place, to

them. In the midst of an account of a tragic affair which she endeavored to make as interesting and pathetic as possible, Sir Brandon burst into a hearty laugh, which betrayed that he had been listening to a livelier story than her own. Much annoyed, she said hastily, "I knew it would co

story, I beg of you," said Dylan

ertaining, why don't you follow U

will." And Luc

lf pushed aside the curtain and looked in. A pleasant little scene. Emily working busily, and near her in a low chair, with the light falling on her fair hair and delicate profile, sat Miss Marie reading aloud. "Novels!" thought Sir Brandy, and smiled at them for a pair of romantic girls. But pausing to listen a moment before he spoke, he found it was no novel, but history, read with a fluency which ma

it for me a minute. I must run to Mamma, and

across the table, laid her head down upon them, and broke into a passion of tears, like one who could bear restraint no longer. Shocked and amazed, Sir Brandon stole away; but