face veiled by the masses of her loosened hair-her slender hands clenched till the blood stood still in their veins, in an agony of stormy self-reproach and fiery longing, and injured pride; or if their ears had caught the sound of the low, bitter wail that went up to Heaven like the cry from Gehenna of some fair, lost spirit, My shame-my shame!'

Under favour of the audience, we will drop the curtain here. One of our puppets shall appear, to-night, no more. When a heroine is once on the stage, the public has a right to be indulged with the spectacle of her faults and follies, as well as of her virtues and excellences; yet I love the phantasm of my queenly Cecil too well to parade her, discrowned and in abasement.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Other eyes besides Cecil's kept watch through the night that followed that eventful day. Royston's never closed till the dawning. Sometimes sitting motionless, sunk in his gloomy meditations, sometimes walking restlessly to and fro, and cooling his hot forehead in the current of the fresh night-air, he kept his mind on a perpetual strain, calculating all probable and improbable chances; and the dull red light was never quenched, that told of perpetually renewed cigars.

I fancy I hear an objection, springing from lips that are wont to be irresistible, levelled against such an atrocious want of sentiment. Fairest critic! we will not now discuss the merits or demerits of nicotine, considered as an aid to contemplation or an anodyne; but do you allow enough for the force of habit? Putting aside the case of those Indian captives, who are allowed a pipe in the intervals of torment (for these poor creatures have had no advantages of education, and are beyond the pale of civilized examples), do you not know that men have finished their last weed while submitting to the toilette of the guillotine? We are told that a Spaniard has begged of his confessor a light for his papelito within sight of a freshly dug grave, when the firing-party was awaiting

him one hundred paces off with grounded arms.

Only when the sky was grey did Royston lie down to rest; but he slept heavily late into the morning. His first act, when he rose, was to send a note to Cecil Tresilyan, begging her to meet him at a named place and time: she did not answer it. Nevertheless, he felt certain she would come. Assignations were no novelties to him; but he had gone forth to bear his part in more than one stricken field, where the chances of life and death were evenly poised, without any such despondency or uncertainty as clung to him then on his way to the ap pointed spot. He arrived there first; but he had not waited long when Cecil came slowly along the path that led into the heart of the woodland. As she drew near, Keene could not help thinking of the first time his eyes had lighted on her, mounting the zig-zags of the Castlehill. There was still the same elasticity of step, the same imperial carriage of the graceful head; but a less observant eye would have detected the change in her demeanour. The pretty petulance and provocative manner which, contrasting with the royalty of her form and feature, contributed so much to her marvellous fascinations, had departed, he feared, never to return.

Many instances occur daily where that same painfully unnatural gravity exasperates us, when its cause cannot be traced up to either guilt or sorrow. Ah, Lilla! there are many who think that your wild-flower wreath was a more becoming ornament than that diamond circletbridal gift of the powerful Baron. Sweet Eugenia! faces that were never absent from your levées in old times, you have missed at your court since you wedded Cæsar.

Both were outwardly quite calm; but who can guess which of those two strong hearts was most conscious of tremor and weakness, when Royston and Cecil met? His hand at least was the steadier, for her slight fingers quivered nervously in his grasp. He did not let them go till he began to speak.

Whatever your decision may be after hearing me, I shall always thank you for coming here. It was

like you to give me the chance of speaking for myself. At least no falsehood or misconception shall stand between us. Will you listen to my story ?'

'I came for no other purpose,' Cecil said, and she sate down on the trunk of a fallen olive: she knew there would be need to husband all her strength. Thinking of these things, in after days, she never forgot how carefully he arranged his plaid on the branches behind her, so as to keep off the gusts of wind that ever and anon blew sharply. At that very instant, as if there were some strange sympathy in the elements, the sun plunged into the bosom of a dull leaden cloud, and there came a growl of distant thunder.

'I shall not tax your patience long,' Royston went on. It shall only be the briefest outline. But do not interrupt me till I have ended; it is hard enough to have to begin and go through with it. I cannot tell you why I married. Many people asked me the question at the time, and I have asked it of myself often since; but I never could find any satisfactory answer.

The woman I chose was then very beautiful, and it was not a disadvantageous match; but I had seen fairer faces and fortunes go by without coveting them. I think a certain obstinacy of purpose, and an absurd pleasure in carrying off a prize (such a prize!) from many rivals, was at the bottom of it all. In six months I began to appreciate the inconveniences of living with a statue; but I can say it truly, I never dreamt of betraying her. Yet I had temptations: remember I was not yet twenty-two, and one does not bear disappointments well at that age. We had not been married quite a year when an officer in a native regiment died, up in the Hills, of delirium tremens. Do you know that, under such circumstances, there is always a commission appointed to examine the dead man's papers? I could not help seeing that, for some days past, my wife's manner had been strangely sullen and cold; but I had no suspicion of the truth. I don't think I have ever been so surprised as when the president of the commission brought me a bundle of her

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letters. I never saw her paramour : he must have been more fool than scoundrel to have kept what he ought to have burned. I did not thank the man who gave me those papers, and I never spoke to him again. I only read one of themit was written soon after our marriage. I went to my wife with this in my hand. She listened to me in her own icy way, not denying or confessing anything; but she defied me to prove actual infidelity, either before or after my authority began. I could not do it, whatever I might think. I could only prove a course of lies and chicanerie, worked out by her and all her family, that would have sickened the most unscrupulous schemer alive. I told her I would never sleep under the same roof with her again. She laughed -if you could hear her laugh, you would excuse me for more than I have done-and said, "You can't get a divorce." She was right there. So it was settled that we were to live apart without any public scandal. But her people would not accept this position. They sent a brother to bully me. It was an unwise move. My temper was wilder in those days, and I had strong provocation; yet I repent that I did not keep my hands off the throat of that wretched, blustering civilian. It was all arranged peacefully at last, and I have not seen her since, though I hear of her from time to time, as I did yesterday. This happened eleven long years ago, and she has never given me a chance of ridding myself of her since. She is always carefully circumspect, and so works out a patient revenge, though I believe I did her no wrong. You have heard all I dare to tell you, and all the truth. Judge me now.'

For the last few minutes a great battle had been waging in Cecil Tresilyan's heart. Can the wisest of us before the armies meetprophecy aright, as to the issue of such an Armageddon?

Twice she tried to speak, and found her voice rebellious; at last she answered, in a faint, broken tone, 'I cannot say how I pity you.' He threw back his lofty head in anger or disdain.

I will not accept groundless

compassion, even from you. Do not deceive yourself. I have learnt how to bear my burden; it scarcely cumbers me now. It has fretted me more in the last three weeks than it has done for years. I only wish you to decide whether I did very wrong in keeping back the knowledge of all this from you; and, if I have offended unpardonably, what my punishment shall be.

There was something more than reproach in the glance that flashed upon him out of the violet eyes; for an instant, they glittered almost scornfully; her lip, too, had ceased to tremble; and the silver in her voice rang clear and true

'You are not afraid to ask that question-remembering many words addressed to me, each one of which was an insult—from you? You dare not yet dishonour me in your thoughts so far as to doubt how I should have acted at first, if I had known your true position. Or are you amusing yourself still at my expense? I had thought you more generous.'

The gloom on Royston's face deepened sullenly: though he had schooled himself up to a certain point of humility, even from her he could ill brook reproof.

Have

"Those insults were not premeditated, at least,' he retorted. you not got accustomed, yet, to men's losing their heads in your presence, and then talking as the spirit moved them? And you think I am amusing myself now. Merci! there runs something in my veins warmer than ice-water.'

His accent was abrupt, even to rudeness; yet Cecil felt a thrill of guilty triumph as she heard it, and marked the shiver of passion that shot through the colossal frame from brow to heel. A more perfect specimen of immaculate womanhood might not have been insensible to that acknowledgment of her power. But she shook her head in sorrowful incredulity.

'You do less than justice to your self-control. But it is too late for reproaches. I forgive you for any wrong that you may have done me, even in thought or intention. I wish the past could be buried. For the future, I can say only this-we

must part, and that instantly; it is more than time.'

Keene had expected some such answer, and it did not greatly disconcert him. After pausing a second or two he said

I did not ask you for your decision without meaning to abide by it. But it would be well to pause before you make it final. Remember-we shall not part for days, or months, if you send me away now. At least, you need not fear persecution. Yet it is difficult to reconcile oneself to banishment. Will you not give me a chance of making amends for the folly you complain of? I cannot promise that my words shall always be guarded, and my manner artificial; but I think I would rather keep your friendship than win the love of any living woman; and I would try hard never to offend you. Let us finish this at once. You have only to say 'leave me," and I swear that you shall be obeyed to the letter.'

On that last card hung all the issue of the game that he would have sold his soul to win; yet he spoke, not eagerly, though very earnestly; and waited quietly for her reply, with a face as calm as death.

Cecil ought not to have hesitated for an instant: we all know that. But steady resolve and stoical selfdenial, easy enough in theory, are often bitterly hard in practice. It is very well to preach to the wayfarer, that his duty is to go forward and not tarry. But fresh and green grow the grasses round the Diamond of the Desert; pleasantly over its bright waters droop the feathery palms. How drearily the grey arid sand stretches away to the sky-line! Who knows how far it may be to the next oasis? Let us rest yet another hour by the fountain.

From any deliberate intention to do wrong, Cecil was as pure as any canonized saint in the roll of virgins and martyrs; but, if she had been a voluptuary as elaborate as La Pompadour, she could not have felt more keenly that her love had increased tenfold in intensity since it became a crime to indulge it. The passionate energy that had slumbered so long in her tempera

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ment was thoroughly roused at last, and would make itself heard, clamorously enough to drown the still small voice, that said, beware and forbear.' Her principles were good, but they were not strong enough to hold their own. O pride of the Tresilyans! that had tempted to sin so many of that haughty house, when you might have saved its fairest descendant, was it the time to falter and fail? She looked up piteously in her great extremity; there was a prayer for help in her eyes; but between them and Heaven was interposed a stern bronze face, not a line of it softening.

At length the faint, broken whisper came-God help me! I cannot say it.'

There was a pause, but not a stillness, for the beating of her companion's heart was distinctly audible. Then Cecil spoke again in her own natural caressing tones.

You will be good and generous, I know. See how I trust you!'

The thought of how their continued intimacy might touch her fair fame, never seemed to suggest itself for an instant. Yet, remember The Tresilyan was no longer a guileless, romantic girl, believing and hoping all things:-she knew right well what scandals and jealousies lurk under the smooth surface of the society in which she had borne so prominent a part; she knew that there were women alive who would have given half their diamonds to have her at their mercy, and torment her at their will. Was it likely that such would let even a slander sleep? Let the Rosière of last season lay this reflection to her heart, to temper the immoderation of triumph- For every one of my victories, I have made one mortal enemy.' Not only, while in supremacy, is the potentate obnoxious to conspiracies; the dagger is most to be dreaded when the dignity is laid down. All dethroned

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and abdicating Dictators have not the luck of Sylla.

Silently and unreservedly to accept such a sacrifice, while the offerer was resolved not to count the cost, transcended even the cynicism of Royston Keene. He grasped her arm as though to arrest her attention, and almost involuntarily broke from his lips words of solemn warning.

Let me go on my way alone, while there is time. It is hard to touch pitch and keep undefiled. Child, you are too pure to estimate your danger. If you remained as innocent as one of God's angels, the world would still condemn you.'

Her slender fingers twined themselves round his wrist, so tenderly! -and she bent down her soft cheek till its blush was hidden on his hand. Then she looked up in his face with a bright, trustful smile.

'Great happiness cannot be bought without a price. I fear no reproach so much as that of my own conscience. Do not think I delude myself as to the risk I am incurring. But if I am innocent, I shall never hear or heed what the world may say; if I am guilty-I have no right to complain of its scorn.'

Hardened unbeliever as he was, Royston could have bowed himself there, and worshipped at her feet. But he would not confess his admiration; still less, betray his triumph. He raised the little white hand that was free, gently, to his lips. Not with more reverent courtesy could he have done homage to an Anointed Queen.

'I wish I were worthier of you,' he murmured; and no more was said then.

As they walked slowly homewards, the sullen clouds broke away from the face of the sun: but a weather-wise observer could have told that the truce was only treacherous. The tempest bided its time.