the confessor. I can easily understand how painful it would be to have
doubts of the character of one's lover, and I can also understand,"
she continued, looking a little archly, "how one, who did not love a
suitor very hard, could feel grateful--yes, very grateful--to a
good-looking young man who had behaved gallantly. And I have a good
mind to half suspect--"

"Hark!" interrupted the other, hurriedly, while a slight tinge became
visible on her cheek--"hark! did you hear the striking of the house
clock below? It is telling the hour of midnight. Let us dismiss these
embarrassing thoughts, and retire to our repose. Your prospects,
Jane," she continued, rising and speaking in a sad and gently
expostulatory tone--"your prospects are bright with love and
happiness; and it will be ungenerous and cruel in you to say aught
which will deepen the shade that I fear is coming over mine."

"O, I will not, Sabrey," warmly returned the kind-hearted Jane. "I did
not intend it. Forgive me, do; and we will dismiss the subject for
something which will give us pleasanter dreams, and then, as you say,
go to rest and enjoy them."

Leaving these fair friends to their slumbers, disquieted or sweetened
by the various visions which the incidents of the day had been
calculated to excite in the bosom of each, we will now repair to a
lower apartment of the house, to note the doings of a select band of
court dignitaries there assembled, for a purpose concerning which a
spectator, at the first glance, might, from the appearances, be at a
loss to decide whether it was one of revelry or secret consultation,
so much did it partake of the character of both.