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Mrs Aylett was in her best feather that night; the suave

chatelaine, the dutiful consort; the tactful warder of the

interesting pair whose movements she had not ceased to watch from

the moment they took their places with the party about the

fire-place in the hall until she, alone of all the conet from its receptacle, and

the sparkle of the jewel as it slipped to its abiding-place upon

Mabel's finger

Lest so unusual in their look or behavior should excite the

suspicions of their companions, make them the focus of inquisitive

observation and whispered re along in advance of them when they deserted their

curtained recess, and would have joined the rest of the co?" she said, in hospitable

solicitude "It wants an hour yet of supper-tiood, particularly the young ladies, who have not stirred

beyond the piazzas to-day I have been waiting for an invitation to

play for you, but my desire for your welfare has overcome native

humility Will you accept estion was acceded to by acclarand piano which stood between the front

s of the drawing-room, and another opened a music-book which

she na apart the the walls as

lookers-on

Mrs Aylett was a proficient in dance-music She never volunteered

to perfor well She had