CHAPTER XXV. When late I saw thy favourite child, Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. BYRON. SHAKESPEARE. It was about the middle of the day following the concert. Isabel sate in the front drawing-room, nursing her little brother, a really pretty baby, of about three months old. Her heart was lighter than it had been for many and many a day, for that one startled glance had told her that Clarence loved her still. There might be much to explain; there might be something, still, to fear; but he loved her; and, at that moment, still to be loved, was all in all to her. The little boy lay in her lap, and she was twisting the tassels of the blinds for his amusement, while now and then she sung to him snatches of her favourite songs. Half occupied with him, half musing on what the next few days would bring forth, she heard nothing, till the drawing-room door suddenly opened, and Lord Clarence Broke was announced. Seeing her alone, he came SO rapidly, so hastily to her side, that she had not time to take the baby in her arms, and rise to meet him. He was He stood once more beside her. about to take her hand in his, when his glance fell on the little Ernest Denison; and, as the child opened his large dark eyes and smiled, he looked the very image of Isabel. The hand of Clarence dropped-he moved from her side, and sate down on the chair opposite to her. Both were silent. Isabel bent her face, crimson with agitation, over the child, and nervously moved her long curls from his neck. She had not dared to raise her eyes, when Clarence got up again, and, murmuring a few unintelligible words, hastily. left the room. It was but the work of two minutes; and, when Mrs. Denison, who, on being told of his arrival, had instantly come down, opened the door-he was gone. 66 They told me Clarence was here; and I came, as I thought you might like it best. Do you know where he is?" "He is gone again," said Isabel, blushing deeply; and, as she put the baby into Mrs. Denison's arms, she murmured a few smiling words about his not having liked little Ernest. Meanwhile, Clarence, pulling his hat over his face, walked rapidly from the house, unconscious where he went. The sudden pang of fear, and more than fear, had made him mad. "This is to hope in woman's love-to trust to woman's constancy!" he repeated over and over again; and still, as he walked rapidly along, the dark, smiling eyes of the child seemed to follow him. He thought not of possibilities, nor yet of improbabilities; but he saw that lovely face bending tenderly over her child, and he strode along the street, like a maniac, till, suddenly, a vision of the soft loving eyes of Ellinor Hervey floated before him; and "she, at least, loves me," passed through his mind. A hand was laid upon his arm; he looked up-he was in Portland Place. "How very fortunate I am!" said Mr. Rushbrook; "I had been to look for you, to ask you to let me have the pleasure of introducing you to my sister. She is dying to make your acquaintance; and, I believe, you were already on your way there. Pray let us go together." And he put his hand through that of Clarence. Thrown off his guard by Mr. Rushbrook's confidence, Clarence walked on a few steps, revolving the possibility of escape-even at the sacrifice of Mr. Rushbrook's neck, if it should be required, when the latter spoke again. "Miss Hervey has been with Selina all day. I took her there, this morning, to make acquaintance with my nephew, and they get on famously. Between ourselves, I wish that to be a match; and I spoke to my nephew, yesterday evening. He is very much in love already." The vision of Ellinor had not yet faded from Clarence's indignant, agitated breast; and he went quietly on to visit Mrs. Greathead, smiling to himself at the uselessness of poor Mr. Rushbrook's plans. They went into the house, and Mr. Rushbrook took him up stairs without announcement. As the door of the drawing-room opened, he saw Ellinor, seated on a sofa, with young Mr. Rushbrook, an exact counterpart of the old one-an amiable youth, who was falling in love very fast, at his uncle's request. Her head was bent towards him, and she appeared to be entirely engrossed by his conversation. After a formal introduction to Mrs. Greathead, Clarence turned towards Ellinor, and she blushed and smiled, for he was not yet |