After dinner Eustace accompanied
the Marquis to visit his betrothed. The
old gentleman, after conducting him to
the entrance of her boudoir, merely
raid :
"Maria, vour old plat-mate, Entnee
lie Leon." and pushing him in, retired,
leaving the young folks to their I M
Maria was engaged in embroidery
when she w as so unceremoniously dis
turb.!. She arose and bowed rather
coldly to Eustace, saying:'
" A fair evening, Senor."
As Eu.-tace gazed uion the lovely
girl he fell madly and desperately in
love, and all thoughts of Lady Blanche
and the strange mask quitted his minu,
as w ith trembling limbs he sank on his
knees and declared his passion
' .r T-on sure" reidied she, mis-
j
chievously, "that you love me as miicti
as you say '.
"Can vou doubt me?" he asked.
" But Lady Blanche La Meda! I
it
possible that you have already forgot
ten her ? That argues ill for your con
stancv."
" Pshiw," Maria, I know not where
rou learned of my flirtation with
Blanche; but be assured that she is not
the kind of person I could lore.
"Well, I believe you, Eustace; but
there is still snolhcr."
"Xay, there you w rong me," said
Eustace, decidedly.
