Was speaking to them with a voice that rung
As the harp's silver chord profound and clear."
WILSON.

YES! the Angelos had received, and as it will appear from the preceding conversation had been prevailed upon, to accept an invitation to Castle Mervyn.

This then it may be supposed was the point which Mr. Anderson observed at the close of the first morning of the Festival, pressed by the

young lord upon the Angelos in the Cathedral nave-a point still left for final decision when they parted at the hotel. But Lord Mervyn had probably no great misgivings as to the issue of his request, when he left them, observing with his keen perception the one sided favour with which his invitation was received, and how it was likely that one side of the two was to prove the strongest from the influence-which even in that brief opportunity it was made clear to him, Aline could exercise over her husband.

He had read this fact in the yielding expression of countenance, so instantaneously succeeding that of quiet decision, with which Angelo had courteously excused himself and his wife from accepting his lordship's invitation, saying, "It was impossible - quite impossible!" on perceiving that expression on Aline's countenance, observed also by her uncle in the Cathedral.

When first Mervyn's proposal had been started, she had in the same way with a blush

of surprise declared the impracticability of the

plan

"But why impossible, Madam Angelo ?—why impracticable?" Lord Mervyn urged.

"Engagements! will not your engagements prevent you, Carlo ?" hesitated Aline.

"No, no-that will not do!" again he playfully interposed; "do not put excuses into your husband's lips."

"I have really to attend a concert at Bath next week," said Angelo.

"And till then, confess your time is at your own disposal," was the persevering reply.

They were both silent; Aline looked down and smiled relenting might have been read in that smile.

"But we have our child with us," she then murmured, "that must at once prevent our having the pleasure of accepting."

"I do not see that at all; it would not be very difficult I suppose to accommodate the young gentleman, or lady, whichever it may be,"

Lord Mervyn interposed; for, though previously scarcely aware of the existence of the child, he plainly perceived its paramount importance in the estimation of the young mother. "It is not the first time I assure you," he continued, "that we have been honoured by the company of such juvenile visitors; Lady Adelaide herself has often condescended to bring some of her young progeny to Castle Mervyn."

6.

Lady Adelaide !" faltered Aline, shrinking back at the sudden idea.-" Is she-will she be at Castle Mervyn ?"

"No, indeed, or I should not have been so inconsiderate as to ask you.-Lady Adelaide has just excused herself and Sir Alexander, so you will come."

"Thank you-thank you, my lord—but I fear we must say, No," persisted Angelo "it is impossible, quite impossible."

"Curse the fellow's obstinacy!" soliloquized Lord Mervyn, beginning to wax wrath. "That

I should thus have to press a beggarly singing Italian to honour my house with his presence. I had better take him professionally, and offer him some preposterous sum for his squalling, and that of course will melt him instantaneously."

But this attempt was not found requisite, for after Angelo's last words, had come-that eager anxious, excited look of Aline's, evidently shaking at once his decision; for he immediately proceeded in another tone to discuss the subject of the invitation, with the scruples and obstacles against its acceptance, in a manner which gave an opportunity for their being combated and gainsaid, and with that decision still left open for the following day, they parted.

And why had that look of Aline's so shaken the resolves-nay even the inclination of her husband ;-so changed it, that there required no subsequent discussion of the subject to induce him to say,