and pure joy; or to lay my hand in his, and
feel that soft, strong, elastic hand close upon mine,--gives me a moment
of such measureless content, such perfect assurance of peace, that for
the time I forget all the sin and horror that envelopes and curses my
life. But to be his beloved wife--oh, Bee! I cannot imagine in the life
of heaven a diviner happiness!"

A low, half-suppressed cry from Bee. And Claudia continued:

"It is a love that all which is best in my nature approves. For oh, who
is like Ishmael? Who so wise, so good, so useful? Morally,
intellectually, and physically beautiful! an Apollo! more than that, a
Christian gentleman! He is human, and yet he appears to me to be
perfectly faultless."

There was a pause and a low sound of weeping, broken at last by Claudia,
who rustled up to her feet, saying:

"There, it is past!"

"Claudia," said Bee solemnly, "you must not let this marriage go on; to
do so would be to commit the deadliest sin!"

"I have determined to commit it, then, Bee."

"Claudia, if I saw you on the brink of endless woe, would I not be
justified in trying to pluck you back? Oh, Claudia, dear cousin, pause,
reflect--"

"Bee, hush! I have reflected until my brain has nearly burst. I must
fulfill my destiny. I must be a peeress of England, cost what it may in
sin against others, or in suffering to myself."

"Oh, what an awful resolution! and what an awful defiance! Ah, what have
you invoked upon your head!"

"I know not--the curse of Heaven, perhaps!"

"Claudia!"

"Be silent, Bee!"

"I must not, cannot, will not, be silent! My hand is weak, but it shall
grasp your arm to hold you back; my voice is low, but it shall be raised
in remonstrance with you. You may break from my hold; you may deafen
yourself to my words; you may escape me so; but it will be to cast
yourself into--"

"Lawyer Vivian's 'gulf of perdition'! Is that what you mean? Nonsense,
Bee. My hysterics are over now; my hour of weakness is past; I am myself
again. And I feel that I shall be Lady Vincent--the envy of Washington,
the admiration of London, the only titled lady of the republican court,
and the only beauty at St. James!" said Claudia, rustling a deep
courtesy.

"Claudia--"

"And in time I shall be Countess of Hurstmonceux, and perhaps after a
while Marchioness of Banff; for Vincent thinks if the Conservatives come
in his father will be raised a step in the peerage."

"And is it for that you sell yourse