ot appreciate it, but
she demanded courage, dignity, and strength of physique. She laid her
hands upon her cousin with cordial approbation, and gazed lovingly at
him.

"You are as beautiful as a hero and a demigod, and it seems to me I
never loved you so fondly as at this moment, when you stand before me as
the victor over my cowardly husband. Ah, I wish I could have witnessed
that scene; you proud and grand, and he lying trembling like this
miserable windspiel at your feet, repeating the words of retraction and
repentance which you dictated."

"It was indeed worth seeing," said Kindar; "but let us speak now of
something more important, dear Camilla. You must leave Berlin to-day,
and for a few weeks at least withdraw to your estate, till the violence
of the storm has blown over. It is, of course, most agreeable and
flattering to me to have my name coupled with that of so lovely and
charming a woman--to be looked upon with jealousy and alarm by the
cowardly husbands of Berlin. It will not, however, be agreeable to you
to be torn to pieces by slanderous tongues. Every old maid, every prude,
and every hypocritical coquette (and of such base elements the feminine
world is composed), will find this a happy occasion to exalt her own
modesty and virtue, and denounce and condemn you."

"Not so," said Camilla, proudly, "I will remain in Berlin. I have
courage to defy the whole world for your sake--I will remain to prove
that I am not ashamed of my love. The whole world shall know that the
brave and handsome Kindar, the beloved of all women, is my lover. Ah,
cousin, you merit this compensation at my hands; you defended my honor
against the aspersions of my husband, and compelled him to a shameful
retraction."

"Does Baron von Kindar make this boast?" cried a voice behind her.

Camilla turned and saw Lord Elliot standing in the door; he looked at
her with a cold, contemptuous glance, which wounded her far more than a
spoken insult would have done.

"Why are you here, sir?" she cried. "With what right do you dare force
yourself into my presence?"

Lord Elliot made no reply, but smiled coolly, and Camilla's eyes filled
with tears of rage.

"Cousin," said she, turning to Kindar, "will you not free me from the
presence of this contemptible creature, who dares to affront and--"

Suddenly she stopped speaking and gazed in amazement at her handsome
cousin; his countenance was not serene; he was indeed livid, and stood
trembli