nredeemed condition, he added,--

"Every one courts you,--the proud, the rich, the young, the
high-born,--all are at your feet! You will select one of that number for
your husband; may he watch over you as I would have done!--love you as
I do he cannot! Yes, I repeat it," continued Clifford, vehemently,--"he
cannot! None amidst the gay, happy, silken crowd of your equals and
followers can feel for you that single and overruling passion which
makes you to me what all combined--country, power, wealth, reputation,
an honest name, peace, common safety, the quiet of the common air, alike
the least blessing and the greatest-are to all others! Once more, may
God in heaven watch over you and preserve you! I tear myself, on leaving
you, from all that cheers or blesses or raises or might have saved me!
Farewell!"

The hand which Lucy had relinquished to her strange suitor was pressed
ardently to his lips, dropped in the same instant, and she knew that she
was once more alone.

But Clifford, hurrying rapidly through the trees, made his way towards
the nearest gate which led from Lord Mauleverer's domain; when he
reached it, a crowd of the more elderly guests occupied the entrance,
and one of these was a lady of such distinction that Mauleverer, in
spite of his aversion to any superfluous exposure to the night air, had
obliged himself to conduct her to her carriage. He was in a very ill
humour with this constrained politeness, especially as the carriage was
very slow in relieving him of his charge, when he saw, by the lamplight,
Clifford passing near him, and winning his way to the gate. Quite
forgetting his worldly prudence, which should have made him averse to
scenes with any one, especially with a flying enemy, and a man with
whom, if he believed aright, little glory was to be gained in conquest,
much less in contest; and only remembering Clifford's rivalship, and
his own hatred towards him for the presumption, Mauleverer, uttering a
hurried apology to the lady on his arm, stepped forward, and opposing
Clifford's progress, said, with a bow of tranquil insult, "Pardon me,
sir, but is it at my invitation or that of one of my servants that you
have honoured me with your company this day?"

Clifford's thoughts at the time of this interruption were of that nature
before which all petty misfortunes shrink into nothing; if, therefore,
he started for a moment at the earl's address, he betrayed no
embarrassment in reply, but bowing w