between myself and the public, and to mingle with those severer
voices to whose final sentence I submit my work the beloved and
gracious accents of your own.

OWEN MEREDITH.




LUCILE


PART I.

CANTO I.


I.


LETTER FROM THE COMTESSE DE NEVERS TO LORD ALFRED VARGRAVE.


"I hear from Bigorre you are there. I am told
You are going to marry Miss Darcy. Of old,
So long since you may have forgotten it now
(When we parted as friends, soon mere strangers to grow),
Your last words recorded a pledge--what you will--
A promise--the time is now come to fulfil.
The letters I ask you, my lord, to return,