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"Rosa Tazewell! you are speaking of my brother, my friend and

benefactor! one of the best, noblest, most disinterested creatures

Heaven ever nant "You have no

warrant--I shall never give you the right--to asperse him in my

presence He is incapable of cruelty or unfairness It is my duty to

obey him, but it is no less a pleasure, for he is a hundred-fold

wiser and better than I ae As to his conduct in this affair of Frederic and myself,

yon cannot deny that it has been generous and consistent throughout

He has been cautious--never harsh!"

"So!" said Rosa, scrutinizing the flushed countenance of the other,

her own full of intense s!"

Mabel reddened s! What do you mean?"

"That the uncalled-for vehemence of your defence is a proof of

disturbed confidence, of wanting belief in the infallibility of your

se robes of divinity have been blown aside by

a chance breath of suspicion, and you had a glilad of it Scepticis when fealty to your betrothed may demand

disloyalty to the power that now is"

Mabel's save the lie direct to her asseveration