deceitful creature!" said the one. "January and May,"
muttered the other; "the man's sixty!" It was noticeable that the party
against Lucy was chiefly composed of ladies, that against Mauleverer
of men; that conduct must indeed be heinous which draws down the
indignation of one's own sex!

Unconscious of her crimes, Lucy moved along, leaning on the arm of the
gallant earl, and languidly smiling, with her heart far away, at his
endeavours to amuse her. There was something interesting in the mere
contrast of the pair; so touching seemed the beauty of the young
girl, with her delicate cheek, maiden form, drooping eyelid, and
quiet simplicity of air, in comparison to the worldly countenance and
artificial grace of her companion.

After some time, when they were in a sequestered part of the grounds,
Mauleverer, observing that none were near, entered a rude hut; and so
fascinated was he at that moment by the beauty of his guest, and so meet
to him seemed the opportunity of his confession, that he with difficulty
suppressed the avowal rising to his lips, and took the more prudent plan
of first sounding and preparing as it were the way.

"I cannot tell you, my dear Miss Brandon," said he, slightly pressing
the beautiful hand leaning on his arm, "how happy I am to see you the
guest--the queen, rather--of my house! Ah! could the bloom of youth
return with its feelings! Time is never so cruel as when, while stealing
from us the power to please, he leaves us in full vigour the unhappy
privilege to be charmed!"

Mauleverer expected at least a blushing contradiction to the
implied application of a sentiment so affectingly expressed: he was
disappointed. Lucy, less alive than usual to the sentimental, or its
reverse, scarcely perceived his meaning, and answered simply that it was
very true. "This comes of being, like my friend Burke, too refined
for one's audience," thought Mauleverer, wincing a little from the
unexpected reply. "And yet!" he resumed, "I would not forego my power to
admire, futile, nay, painful as it is. Even now, while I gaze on you, my
heart tells me that the pleasure I enjoy, it is at your command at once
and forever to blight into misery; but while it tells me, I gaze on!"

Lucy raised her eyes, and something of her natural archness played in
their expression.

"I believe, my lord," said she, moving from the hut, "that it would be
better to join your guests: walls have ears; and what would be the
gay Lord M