ot often occur to many of us
on earth, for perfect love seeks perfect fulfillment; and in the
perfect fulfillment of love is too often the satiety that deadens its
finest, most spiritual impulses.

The castle gong sounded, booming heavily through the trees. Isoleth
started to her feet like a frightened doe.

"I must go," exclaimed she, "my guardian--"

"Stay one moment, sweetest, I have something to tell thee, that thou
must hear."

"I have staid too long already," interrupted she, hastily, "my
guardian will be sending out for me--it is already growing dark. Fare
thee well;" and she gave him a farewell with her soft, brown eyes that
never left his heart--so full of unconscious love was it.

"You will meet me here again to-morrow morning? Promise me at least so
much, dearest beloved."

"Yes, yes," and with another glance from her soft, bright eyes, she
glided out of his sight.

CHAPTER IV.

SUSPENSE.

"I am glad to see thee safely at home, my dear child. Where hast thou
been? Thou knowest I hate to have thee rambling about the
castle-grounds after night-fall. I have already sent out to seek thee,
and was on the point of going in search of thee myself. But, dear
child, if walking at any time will bring thee home with such a
radiant, glowing color, I shall not quarrel with the cause or hour.
Thou art looking as bright and as happy and beautiful as I hope always
to see thee look."

"I was afraid, dear uncle," replied Isoleth, blushing still more
deeply, and casting her conscious, love-full eyes to the ground, "I
was afraid thou wouldst begin to be uneasy about me, and I hastened--I
have no one, dearest uncle, when thou art away, to take such good care
of me. I go wandering about among my favorite haunts at my own good
will and pleasure, night or day, as it happens."

"The time is coming, eh! sweet Isoleth, when thou wilt have to consult
another will save thine own," said the baron, patting her fondly on
her soft, white neck.

Ferdinand laughed, and looked very impressed and impressive, and gazed
her out of countenance with assured, admiring eyes, as he answered for
her,

"Yes, yes, we are waiting only for the goodly company that are to
witness the approaching nuptials. Is it not so, fairest lady?"

"The hideous being!" thought Isoleth, without vouchsafing an audible
reply. "Is this the one with whom I am to spend my days--but no, it
shall not be."

She did the honors of the supper-table with a suffoc