I do not know that I have any fixed intentions at all. I leave the future to bring forth what it will.”

وو

"But if you should find that Elma Ruthven returns your affection ?”

as I

"I shall be deeply indebted to her, shall feel highly complimented, greatly delighted, andsaid before, let the future bring forth whatever it has in store. I suppose a man may be pardoned for a little vanity, if he discover himself to be an object of consideration to this divine creature, whom destiny has rendered an actress."

"Elma Ruthven, in her chaste loveliness, is not a woman whose name should be irreverently uttered. Nor can her character be lightly estimated by any one who has been granted the privilege of knowing her in private. The man who is crowned with her love will become the monarch of a heavenly realm, and may well be proud; but that her preference should excite vanity, in the sense which you seem to imply, is a thought as humiliating to her as it is unworthy of you."

"Hey day, Edmonton! have you just waked up? I never heard you launch out in her praise before. Why, you are not in love with her yourself, are you? I shall begin to think it is this actress who is keeping that living vacant, and has postponed a certain ordination for which you were duly prepared. You were afraid of disgracing your cloth, is that it? What has fired you so suddenly?"

"I believe I was a little warm," returned Edmonton, relapsing into his usual quietude; "but you know what reverence I have for womanhood; I cannot bear to hear the name of such a woman as Elma

Ruthven lightly used, or the rich gift of her affections (which can only be bestowed accompanied by her hand) rated so carelessly. That is my excuse.”

"No harm done, Leonard; only don't grow sanctimonious before the time. No offence in talking of an actress as though she were flesh and blood, is there?"

"Don't separate the flesh and blood from the spirit that animates and gives them life, which makes the pulses temperately beat in response to all noble. aspirations, making such holy music as Elma's but here comes your groom. At what a furious rate he is driving those horses!"

"Like their master, they object to the curb, even though the bridle be held by a friendly hand,” replied Lord Oranmore, laughing. "Are you going directly to the castle?"

Edmonton answered in the affirmative.

"Then jump in the phaëton, and spend a little of your judicious whip and bridling upon the horses yourself. Your lessons will do them good. Wish I could say as much for their master! Terence, I shall not dine at home. Bring the horses to the club by ten to-night.'

وو

The chaplain's son drove off, evincing no little skill as he curbed the fiery steeds.

Lord Oranmore turned his steps to the principal bookseller's shop in Dublin.

"I must have some pretext for the visit," he said to himself, as he entered.

He tossed over a number of richly-bound annuals, and at last selected and purchased a volume of standard plays, which contained a portrait of Mrs. Ruth

ven as the Widow Rackett.

The clerk was ordered to follow him with the book, as he purposed to deliver it in person.

It was conveyed into Elma's presence. She was alone. Lord Oranmore pointed out the portrait; said that he met with it accidentally; that he found the likeness of Mrs. Ruthven so very striking he could not refrain from bringing it himself, that he might witness her daughter's pleasure. He begged that the volume might be left for her father's acceptance.

Lord Oranmore was very sorry, he added, not to find Mr. Ruthven at home; no, he corrected himself, he would be frank, and say that he was rejoiced; for there was a subject upon which he wished to converse with Elma. Time, he declared, had dragged very heavily with him during the four weeks in which he had not beheld her. What was life out of her presence? Would that his life could be passed at her side! Existence would be elysium. And could not this be? Would she not give him hope that it might be ?

Elma made a fruitless attempt to check him. In spite of her chilling mien, his ardent temperament hurried him on.

There was a touch of regal scorn in the look which she turned upon him, as she replied:

"Is it because I bear the name of an actress, my lord, that you have ventured to address me thus? What in my conduct has ever given you the right? I have only to request that you will leave me to the privacy upon which you have intruded."

Lord Oranmore in an instant saw his error, and at

that moment she became more dear than ever. He would not lose her thus.

"Miss Ruthven, - beautiful Elma! How you have misunderstood me! You could not, for a second, imagine me capable of insulting you! How often has the stage given up its heroines, that coronets might gain additional lustre by encircling their brows! I ask to place one upon yours,

'Where partial nature hath already bound

A brighter circlet, radiant Beauty's own.'

Let me rob the public to enrich myself. You have no love for the stage; will you not abandon it for my sake?"

"No."

Why is your manner so frigid? Have I unconsciously offended beyond pardon?"

"No woman has the right to be offended by the honorable addresses of an honorable man. But your offer is one that I cannot accept. I should not, were I free; I cannot, for my hand is already promised." The last words Elma uttered with a violent effort. Lord Oranmore started up in dismay. Elma silenced the remonstrance on his lips. was the wish of my dying mother, that must be sacred. My lord, you will excuse me if I put an end to this interview." She moved towards the door.

"It

"One moment, Elma. I cannot yield up all hope - But Elma had passed from the room. "I will not relinquish her!" exclaimed the impetuous young nobleman, as he darted out of the house.

CHAPTER III.

Lord Oranmore's Startling Communication to Leonard. Rage of the Noble Father at the Proposed Alliance of his Son. The Unwilling Ambassador. -The Chaplain's Visit to the Actress. - A Disappointment. — Elma's Declaration. Mr. Ruthven's Chosen Son. Unwavering Trust. Mortimer's Return to Dublin. -Enthusiastic Attachment of the Company. Singular Traits. - Lavish Charities. - Mr. Ruthven's Disclosure to Mortimer. A Vision of Elma's Future. Performance of Gisippus. Mental Anguish of the Tragedian. -The Frantic Improvisation. - Lord Oranmore in the Boxes. — Mortimer's Exit from the Theatre. Sudden Disappearance.

INGENUOUS and reckless by nature, Lord Oranmore made no concealment of his feelings and intentions. That evening he gave Edmonton an animated account of his second interview with Elma. They were sitting in the theatre at the time. The play represented was Sheridan Knowles' tragedy of The Wife. Elma was to make her first appearance since the death of her mother. Edmonton's attention seemed rivetted upon the performance. But when Lord Oranmore repeated Elma's declaration that her hand was promised, his friend gave a violent start. Amazementwhat else could it be?-lent to the eyes which he fixed upon the speaker a strange, lurid glare. The words "Not possible!" issued involuntarily from his ashy lips.

"She told me so herself," replied Lord Oranmore