unk to her happy sleep, with a
pair of dark, loving eyes hovering over her and mingling with her
dreams. And never eyes gazed on more gentle sleep or lovely sleeper.

CHAPTER V.

THE APPEAL.

With a buoyant step and a sparkling eye the Lady Isoleth sought her
guardian early the next morning. He was deeply immersed in papers and
parchments, while huge, formidable-looking books were piled high
around him. He nevertheless welcomed his sweet niece with a sudden
clearing off of his thought-lined brow, and a fond, affectionate
smile.

"Forgive me, dearest uncle, if I have disturbed thy studies; but I
would see thee alone, and I feared this might be the only opportunity,
as the carriages containing our kinsfolk are even now expected; so
nurse Hildreth informed me."

"What would my pet bird have that she seeks her uncle thus early?"

"A boon that you must grant, dearest uncle, for upon it depends my
heart's happiness now and forever."

"Name it, my darling Isy--what wouldst thou have, little enthusiast?"

"Release from one I never can love. Oh! my dearest uncle," continued
she, fondly twining her soft, white arms around his neck, and lovingly
kissing his time-worn brow, "do, for Heaven's sweet love, tell me at
once that I need not wed him, for I never can love him--never, never!"

"Bless her little heart, what is the child raving about? Whom dost
thou mean, dear baby, by _him_?"

"Who should I mean, dearest uncle, but my cousin, this Prince
Ferdinand. I _need_ not be his wife. I--"

"Thy cousin, Prince Ferdinand!"

"I hate him--I abhor him--I utterly detest him! I never can love him!
I never will be his wife! I never--"

"Hold, hold! not so fast; why thou romantic little recluse! thou hast
lived alone too much by half. Thy little head is brim full of fancies.
Thy tongue is running wild. Thou _hatest_ him! Why what wouldst thou
have better? Is he not all a woman could desire? Is he not young
and--"

"Young!"

"And handsome, and--"

"Handsome!"

"And is he not a prince? And is he not heir to a powerful, wealthy
ducal throne? And will he not take thee to court--the gay, beautiful
court; and wilt thou not reign there a queen--a queen of beauty and
joy and light--and ere long queen of the throne?"

"All that does not dazzle me, dearest uncle--for what are thrones and
splendor where love is not? Oh! dear, dearest uncle, do not press
this hated match upon me. Do not doom me to eternal sorrow. Do not--"

"H