bilities. He is already
marked in public opinion as a coming man,--a future minister of the
highest grade. He has youth and good looks; his moral character is
without a blemish: yet his manners are so free from affected austerity,
so frank, so genial. Any woman might be pleased with his companionship;
and you, with your intellect, your culture,--you, so born for high
station,--you of all women might be proud to partake the anxieties of
his career and the rewards of his ambition."

CECILIA (clasping her hands tightly together).--"I cannot, I cannot. He
may be all you say,--I know nothing against Mr. Chillingly Gordon,--but
my whole nature is antagonistic to his, and even were it not so--"

She stopped abruptly, a deep blush warming up her fair face, and
retreating to leave it coldly pale.

LADY GLENALVON (tenderly kissing her).--"You have not, then, even
yet conquered the first maiden fancy; the ungrateful one is still
remembered?"

Cecilia bowed her head on her friend's breast, and murmured imploringly,
"Don't speak against him; he has been so unhappy. How much he must have
loved!"

"But it is not you whom he loved."

"Something here, something at my heart, tells me that he will love me
yet; and, if not, I am contented to be his friend."

CHAPTER XV.

WHILE the conversation just related took place between Cecilia and
Lady Glenalvon, Chillingly Gordon was seated alone with Mivers in
the comfortable apartment of the cynical old bachelor. Gordon had
breakfasted with his kinsman, but that meal was long over; the two
men having found much to talk about on matters very interesting to the
younger, nor without interest to the elder one.

It is true that Chillingly Gordon had, within the very short space of
time that had elapsed since his entrance into the House of Commons,
achieved one of those reputations which mark out a man for early
admission into the progressive career of office,--not a very showy
reputation, but a very solid one. He had none of the gifts of the
genuine orator, no enthusiasm, no imagination, no imprudent bursts of
fiery words from a passionate heart. But he had all the gifts of
an exceedingly telling speaker,--a clear metallic voice; well-bred,
appropriate action, not less dignified for being somewhat too quiet;
readiness for extempore replies; industry and method for prepared
expositions of principle or fact. But his principal merit with the
chiefs of the assembly was in the strong good se