suppressed titter of many a pampered menial, she instructed her how to
proceed; and having received a hasty account of all, and desired her not
to be faint-hearted, she turned to the simpering master of ceremonies to
tell him of her "dear delightful freak;" there was a glad smile on
her lip, and a glowing crimson on her cheek, but still there was a
glistening moisture in her fine eyes, that told of soft and womanish
feeling.

The Duke was sitting on a chair of crimson velvet; a cushion of the
same costly material supported his feet; and he was looking with an
appearance of apathy and ennui on the splendid group around him. The
glitter of the lights, the lustre of the jewels, and the graceful
waving of the many-colored plumes, gave every thing a courtly, sumptuous
appearance, and the air was heavy with odors, the fragrant offering of
many a costly exotic. Suddenly every eye was turned on the door with,
wonder and astonishment, and every voice was hushed as Lady ------
entered, her cheeks blushing from excitement, and her eye bright with
anticipated triumph. She led the poor and humbly clad Ellen by the hand,
who dared not look up, but with her gaze riveted on the splendid
carpet, was brought like an automaton to the feet of the Duke, where she
mechanically knelt down.

"Will yer Excillincy be plazed," began Lady ------, playfully mimicking
the brogue, "to hear this poor crathur's complaint. Her husband has been
condimned to die for a murdher he didn't commit by no manner ov manes,
as the sayin' is; an' as there was a sthrong recommindation to marcy,
if you'll grant him a reprieve, you'll have all our prayers, and (in an
under tone) your Excillincy knows you want thim?"

The Duke seemed a little bewildered, as if he could not make out what