prostrate
enthusiasm--its impassioned humility--its boundless devotion;
abject as a slave's, exalted as a guardian angel's.

"How do you do, dearest Ellen? how glad I am to see you again!
Will you let me introduce mama to you?"

The violent start that I gave as Rosa stood before me and
addressed me in this manner, made her laugh, and the silvery
tone of that little gay laugh grated upon my ear.

"Why, I have frightened you as much as the invisible men of
Brandon frightened me!" she exclaimed. "What fun that was,
Ellen! I am afraid we shall have no adventures at Hampstead,
but I'm so glad you are coming there to-morrow."

As Henry approached us she turned to him.

"How are you, Mr. Lovell? It is ages since we have seen you."

"You come so late," said Henry; "was the play so charming that
you could not tear yourself away?"

"Oh, we should have been here long ago if your friend Mr.
Middleton had allowed it; but when papa and mama, with their
undramatic, unexcitable spirits, were preparing to go, he
interfered so successfully that we carried our point, heard
the very last words, saw the curtain drop--"

"And enjoyed it all very much?"

"Oh thoroughly--entirely! We cried at the tragedy and laughed
at the farce, till I have no strength left for the dull bit of
real life that's going on in the next room."

"Come, Ellen, the carriage stops the way," cried Mr.
Middleton; and in a moment we were down the stairs and in the
carriage. My aunt's first words as we drove home were, "How
uncommonly pretty Rosa Moore is! There is something very
attractive about her."

"Very," I answered; and there was something in the manner in
which I pronounced this single word that made her try to get a
glimpse of my face as we went by the next lamp-post. I threw
my head back impatiently into the corner, and exclaimed,
"Really, one does get tired to death with this going out night
after night."

"Then I suppose you like the idea of our visit to Hampstead?"

"Oh, particularly! Who shall we meet, do you think?"

"Nobody but Edward, and one or two other men, Mrs. Moore told
me to-night."

The carriage stopped and I went to bed, but not to sleep; not
at least till I had tossed about for some hours, with a
feverish pulse and a perturbed spirit.

The next morning ushered in one of those broiling days which
destroy all one's energies, and take away all wish for motion
and exertion. The shutters of the drawing-room were partly
close