a! now one
hears the sound of it--that is like it! I did not think it was such a
confirmed case. I should have gone on in peace but for this letter,
and never thought about it at all.'

'So much the better for you!'

'My father is too just and candid not to own his error, and be
thankful.'

'And you expect her to bear with your alternations in the mean time?'

'Towards her I have not alternated. When I have made giggle with Clara
under the influence of the starry sky, did you suppose me giggling with
Lyra or the Pleiades! I should dread to see the statue descend; it
seemed irreverence even to gaze. The lofty serenity keeps me aloof. I
like to believe in a creature too bright and good for human nature's
daily food. Our profane squinting through telescopes at the Lady Moon
reveals nothing but worn-out volcanoes and dry oceans, black gulfs and
scorched desolation; but verily that may not be Lady Moon's fault--only
that of our base inventions. So I would be content to mark
her--Isabel, I mean--queenly, moonlike name!--walk in beauty and
tranquillity unruffled, without distorting my vision by personal aims
at bringing her down to my level. There--don't laugh at me, Jem.'

'No, I am too sorry for you.'

'Why!' he exclaimed, impatient of compassion; 'do you think it
desperate?'

'I see your affection given to a most worthy object, and I know what
your notions of submission will end in.'

'Once for all, Jem,' said Fitzjocelyn, 'do you know how you are using
my father? No; Isabel Conway may be the happiness or the
disappointment of my life--I cannot tell. I am sure my father is
mistaken, and I believe he may be convinced; but I am bound not to fly
in the face of his direct commands, and, till we can come to an
understanding, I must do the best I can, and trust to--'

The last word was lost, as he turned to nurse his ankle, and presently
to entreat James to join the sportsmen; but Jem was in a mood to do
nothing pleasing to himself nor to any one else. A sacrifice is
usually irritating to the spectators, who remonstrate rather than
listen to self-reproach; and Louis had been guilty of three great
offences--being in the right, making himself ridiculous, and submitting
tamely--besides the high-treason to Isabel's beauty. It was well that
the Earl was safe out of the way of the son of the Pendragons!

Fitzjocelyn was in pain and discomfort enough to make James unwilling
to leave him; though his good-will did