let fall, thus intercepting the light from the
bayed windows, there was still sufficient from the three sash-windows on
the left of this large apartment to give splendour to what would then
become the inner room.

The heavy draperies that hung between the pillars were drawn up, but the
light muslin was dropped even with the rich Turkey carpet, through which
I caught but a dim and glowing view of the recess. It was, as nearly as
I can recollect, about three o'clock in the afternoon; and the sun, just
dallying with the top of the trees in the distant Kensington Gardens,
sent his level beams directly through the large windows, and the
orange-trees and exotics that were placed about them.

I advanced to the screen; and when close upon it, I perceived the
figure, though but faintly, of Mrs Causand, reclining upon a couch. I
paused--I do not think, on account of the distribution of the light,
that she could have seen me through the veil that intervened between us.
I dared not break through it without a summons; and there I stood, for
two unpleasant minutes, endeavouring to imagine of what nature my
reception would be; and whether a lady surrounded by so much
magnificence would listen to the appeal of her former pet-playfellow.

At this time, it was the fashion, in full dress, to show the whole of
the arm bare to the shoulder. At length, from out of the mass of rich
shawls, there was lifted the white, rounded, exquisitively shaped,
though somewhat large, arm of the lady, beckoning me to enter; but sound
there was none. "She is delighted to play the empress," said I, as I
pushed aside the curtain, and stood before her in her odoriferous
sanctum.

Verily, in the pride of her beauty, she never looked more beautiful.
She was in full dress--and, as I surveyed her in mute admiration, and my
mind was busy at once with the past and the present, I pronounced her
improved since I had last seen her; for I could perceive no difference
in her countenance, except that her rounded and classic cheek glowed
with a ruddier hue, and her eyes sparkled with a more restless fire.

I stood before her at the foot of the couch, and my heart confessed that
the perfection of womanly beauty lay beneath my wondering eyes, but a
beauty which, if in smiles, would rather madden with voluptuousness,
than subdue with tenderness, and, if in repose, seemed to command
worship, more than solicit affection.

As I stood mutely there, I looked into her rega