re, to spare the feelings
of the two individuals in question, that I have preserved the strict
incognito which I thought necessary since my arrival in this country."

"Farewell until then, my dear Charles; and in whatever object you may
be engaged, let me beg that you will not inflict a wanton or unnecessary
wound upon a good or amiable heart; but I know you will not--it is not
in your nature."

"I trust not," he added, as he took his leave. "I cannot wait longer for
lady Gourlay; but before I go, I will write a short note for her in the
library, which will, for the present, answer the same purpose as seeing
her. Farewell, then, dearest and best of girls!--farewell, and be as
happy as you can; would that I could say, as I wish you, until we meet
again."

And thus they separated.

The scene that had just taken place rendered every effort at composure
necessary on the part of Lucy, before the return of Lady Gourlay. This
lady, strange as it may seem, she had yet never seen or met, and she now
began to reflect upon the nature of the visit she had made her, as well
as of the reception she might get. If it were possible that her father
had made away with her child on the one hand, could it be possible,
on the other, that Lady Gourlay would withhold her resentment from the
daughter of the man who had made her childless? But, no; her generous
heart could not for a moment admit the former possibility. She reasoned
not from what she had felt at his hands, but as a daughter, who, because
she abhorred the crime imputed to him, could not suppose him capable
of committing it. His ambition was all for herself. Neither, she felt,
would Lady Gourlay, even allowing for the full extent of her suspicions,
confound the innocent daughter with the offending parent. Then her
reputation for meekness, benevolence, patience, charity, and all those
virtues which, without effort, so strongly impress themselves upon the
general spirit of social life, spoke with a thousand tongues on her
behalf. Yes, she was glad she came; she felt the spirit of a virtuous
relationship strongly in her heart; and in that heart she thanked the
amiable Mrs. Mainwaring for the advice she had given her.

A gentle and diffident tap at the door interrupted the course of
her reflections; and the next moment, a lady, grave, but elegant in
appearance, entered. She courtesied with peculiar grace, and an air
of the sweetest benignity, to Lucy, who returned it with one in w