was capable of sustaining, she hastened onwards in the direction of the carriage. With

a kind shake of the hand, and a few words of farewell, she took leave of Graham, and was soon lost to sight.

CHAPTER XI.

"Copiousness and simplicity, variety and unity, constitute real greatness of character.

Thousands are hated, whilst none are ever loved without a real cause. The amiable alone can be loved." LAVATER.

DURING the exciting hours that were spent by Lady Lisle and Graham on the sea-shore at Ashton, Mary Graham was engaged in a manner no less interesting in her own little boudoir at Moorfield.

It was certainly something very like pleasure which smiled in her soft blue eyes, and touched the dimples in her cheek. When the well-known sound of George Alvanley's. quick, light-stepping horse caused her to

withdraw from sight as she sat at the open window.

Acquaintance had been improved, and had even ripened into intimacy since Mary's interview with Mr. Alvanley, in which he was first introduced to the reader.

With him Mrs. Graham soon lost her unnatural reserve, and, through the influence of the charm he always diffused around, the long-repressed buoyancy of her disposition had, in a great measure, returned.

For Alvanley she possessed a peculiar fascination which was heightened by the freedom permitted to their friendly intercourseby her position as the wife of Arthur Graham.

He paid to her sweetness, beauty, and simplicity, the willing homage which might not have been borne from him had not the previous tie of her marriage placed him beyond the reach of responsibility for the admiration he now thought himself privileged openly to show. It is little to say that he felt deeply for her in the loneliness of her morally unprotected position.

It was to him incomprehensible that any

being so gentle, so peculiarly formed to make the happiness of a home, should be treated with the indifference and the contempt which her husband manifested towards her.

To see the meekness with which she bore his fits of sullenness, and his more open reproaches; to see the bright flush which at times told that the unkind stroke, notwithstanding outward calmness of manner, had found its way to the heart, was galling in the extreme to Alvanley, and sometimes provoked, even in Mrs. Graham's presence, expressions of angry astonishment. But the hasty weapon of words was not, he felt, to be incautiously used, for he wished to heal the breach between the husband and wife, not to widen it.

By stamping himself as Mrs. Graham's champion he might end in producing an evil feeling between himself and Graham, a result which he wished particularly to avoid, for he was conscious of possessing the power to make many a half hour pass away pleasantly while he was in her society; when, had she been alone, she would have sighed over her unhappy lot.

away, and a feeling, in the peculiar circumstances which surrounded him, allied to an interest too deep for happiness, had unawares usurped dominion over him.

The careless admiration which he at first experienced for a slight acquaintance, then a strong feeling of compassion, had, unawares, assumed the features of a sympathy too closely drawn around each hour of daily life to be compatible with peace of mind.

"Is Mr. Graham at home ?" said Alvanley, giving his reins to his servant as he dismounted.

"No, sir."

"Mrs. Graham ?"

"I believe she is, sir."

George knew she was, for he had caught a glimpse of her figure as she withdrew from the window of her boudoir. He was also certain that he should not be denied admittance, and for form's sake only asked the question.

Did he suppose he thus blinded the domestic's vision, which in such cases is peculiarly clear? or, answering more his own