d such as God. in his goodness bestows
upon every heart as the greatest gift of life, when not abused. I cannot
be displeased at the naivete with which she has forgotten my lover for
her own; for such I perceive this person she speaks of evidently is."

She looked once more at her maid, whose eyes, with true Celtic feeling,
were now dancing with delight, whilst yet red with tears. "Alice," said
she, in a voice of indulgent reproof, "who are you thinking of?"

"Why, of Dandy, miss," replied Alley; but in an instant the force of the
reproof as well as of the indulgence was felt, and sho acknowledged her
error by a blush.

"I beg your pardon, miss," she said; "I'm a thoughtless creature. What
can you care about what I was sayin'? But--hem--well, about him--sure
enough, poor Dandy told me that everything is going wrong with him. He
doesn't, as I said, speak or smile as he used to do."

"Do you know," asked her mistress, "whether he goes out much?"

"Not much, miss, I think; he goes sometimes to Lady Gourlay's and to
Dean Palmer's. But do you know what I heard, miss I hope you won't grow
jealous, though?"

Lucy gave a faint smile. "I hope not, Alice. What is it?" But here,
on recollecting again the scene she had just closed below stairs, she
shuddered, and could not help exclaiming, "Oh, gracious heaven!" Then
suddenly throwing off, as it were, all thought and reflection connected
with it, she looked again at her maid, and repeated the question, "What
is it, Alice?"

"Why, miss, have you ever seen Lord Dunroe's sister?"

"Yes, in London; but she was only a girl, though a lovely girl."

"Well, miss, do you know what? She's in love with some one."

"Poor girl!" exclaimed, Lucy, "I trust the course of her love may run
smoother than mine; but who is she supposed to be in love with?" she
asked, not, however, without a blush, which, with all her virtues, was,
as woman, out of her power to suppress.

"Oh," replied Alley, "not with him--and dear knows it would be
no disgrace to her, but the contrary, to fall in love with such a
gentleman--no; but with a young officer of the Thirty-third, who they
say is lovely."

"What is his name, do you not know, Alice?"

"Roberts, I think. They met at Dean Palmer's and Lady Gourlay's; for it
seems that Colonel Dundas was an old brother officer of Sir Edward's,
when he was young and in the army."

"I have met that young officer, Alice," replied Lucy, "and I know not
how it was, bu