BARREN HONOUR.



held it fast. I went back for it-we youth and manhood came trooping up
could not pull up for a second or two. fast, some faint and distant, some so
When I joined her again, she was try- d near and briglhtly-coloured, that they
ing to put in order some rebellious almost seemed tangible-vanishing and
tresses which had escaped from  their reappearing capriciously, as one fair vis-
net; the light shot down through the ion chased another from light into shade,
leaves on the dark ripples of hair; like elves holding revel under a midsum-
there was the most delicious flush you mer moon.
can fancy on her cheek, and her lips   True, the days of his gipsyhood were
and eyes were laughing-so merrily! past and gone; but the spirit of the Zin-
I don't believe that the luck of painters garo had tarried with Vavasour longer
ever let them dream of any thing half than with most men, if indeed it was
so lovely. I suppose I've seen as many even yet extinct. He could not help
fair faces as most men of my age, and I owning that, if the same temptation had
ought to be able to keep my head (if assailed himself at the same age, he
not my heart) by this time. Well-it would have yielded quite as easily as
went, on the instant. I had no more Wyverne had done that day, with per-
self-control or forethought than a school- haps rather less of prudent scruple, and
boy in his first love. Before I was with more utter contempt of conse-
aware, I had said words that I ought quences. Though he had seldom given
never to have spoken, but which are grounds to Lady Mildred for grave ac-
very, very hard to unsay. Don't ask cusation, or even suspicion, gayer gallant
me what she answered. I should have never breathed since Sir Gawaine died.
been still unworthy of those words if, A chivalrous delicacy and high sense of
since my manhood begun, I bad never honour had borne him (and others) scath-
done one ill deed, never thrown one less through many fiery trials; yet-not
chance away. Uncle Hubert, you can't so long ago-hearts had quivered at the
blame me as much as I despise myself. sound of his musical voice, like reeds
The idea of a man's having got through shaken by the wind. Few men had
a good fortune and the best years of achieved more conquests with less loss
his life, without having learnt-when to victor and vanquished; for he was
to hold his tongue."                  satisfied with the surrender of a belea-
  The clouds had been clearing fast on guered city without giving it up to pil-
Vavasour's face while the other was lage. Flesh is weak, we know; it would
speaking, and the sun broke out, sud- be rash to assert, that in his hot youth,
denly, in a kind, pleasant smile. Prob- Hubert Vavasour had never regretted a
ably more than one feeling was busy lost opportunity; but perhaps Ile did not
within him then, which it would have sleep less soundly now, because of all
been hard to separate or analyse. The the lost souls who, on either side of the
father's heart swelled with pride and grave, live in torment, not one could lay
love as he heard of this last crowning its ruin at his door. Two or three repu-
triumph of a beauty that, from child- tations slightly compromised are surely
hood upwards, he had held to be peer- not an immoderate allowance for a viveur
less. Indeed, he was absurdly fond of of five-and thirty years' standing, and
Helen, and had spoiled her so consist- need scarcely entail indulgence in pop-
ently, that rgo one could understand pies or mandragora. I think it speaks
why the demoiselle (who certainly had well for the presiding judge if, when a
a will of her own) was not more imper- young offender is brought up before the
ious and wayward. Besides this, the Council of the Elders, those ancient
Squire's strong natural sense of humour memories stand forth as witnesses for
was gratified. It amused him unspeak- +the defence.
ably to see his calm, impassible nephew  So the Squire's tone was cheery and
for once so embarassed as actually to hearty as ever, when he replied to
have been betraved    into blushing. Alan's rather unsatisfactory explanation,
Afore than all, gay memories of his own and there was a laugh in his eyes.



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