udois, who have kept their faith pure as the
breath of their native valleys: when I think of this, even the conqueror
is forgotten in the man."

"You are a dear noble creature," exclaimed Frances, as she gazed with
admiration upon the animated and expressive countenance of her
companion; then encircling her neck, and kissing her cheek, with that
delightful warmth of manner which can spring only from warmth of
feeling, she continued, "I wish, my love, that flush were always on
your cheek. You nourish some secret sorrow, Constance; nay, I am sure
you do; and I will write and say so to my sister Claypole, who is
worthy to be your confidant, as well as your godmother, though I am
not. Nay, nay, I know it well: I admire, but do not quite understand
you. The heavens are given us to hope for, and the sun to look upon,
and--but dear me! that would be--a simile! I vow that sounded like rhyme;
but here comes reason, in the shape of our new knight. Adieu! dear
Constantia!--Barbara! that is surely Robin Hays, groping among the
slopes like a huge hedgehog. Did you not want to consult him as to the
management of the peewits' eggs?"

"In truth, yes, my lady," replied Barbara, rising from a half-finished
carnation:--"May I go, mistress?"

Constance assented.

"May _I_ go, mistress?" repeated Lady Frances, mimicking Barbara's tone
and courtesy, in her light-hearted gaiety.

"Yes," replied Constantia firmly, "I would rather you did; for I have
something particular to say to Major Wellmore's friend."

"Now, is not that just like Constance Cecil?" thought Lady Frances, as
she left the room; "another would have said any thing rather than the
truth--yet is truth a noble thing: something to venerate as well as
love--the best of virtues, the wisest of counsellors, and the firmest of
friends."

Constance rose from her seat as the Cavalier entered; but there was an
expression of deep sorrow over his whole countenance, that was almost
immediately communicated to hers. What an extraordinary and undefinable
tie is that which binds souls and sympathies together--the voice, that
is heard only by the ear of affection--the look, that only one can
understand--the silent thrill of happiness or of anguish, communicated
by a smile or by a sigh! The world may sneer at, or may condemn; yet
most true it is, that they who love with the most purity and the most
truth, draw nearest to that great Spirit who is the perfection of both!

"I am come," said