ton's confusion, his endeavors to avoid her, his reserved conduct toward her. But at the same time she suddenly cast a glance into her own heart, and she knew then for certain that she loved the poet an affection which had hitherto been a veiled secret to herself. This discovery filled her with unutterable transports; but already in the next moment doubts arose in her mind. Was it not, perhaps, another lady who was so happy as to have won Milton's love? Was it not, perhaps, a lady unknown to her? New hesitations, new doubts and fears. Thomas became somewhat embarrassed, and did not reply immediately. He thought of his beloved, whose beautiful voice he had often admired. "For God's sake," interrupted Lawes, "tell me who and where she is. Why do you hesitate? You see that we have no time to lose." All urged the youth in such a manner that he could not avoid making a candid reply. "You know our former playmate Lucy Henderson," he said to his brother and sister, blushing. "She has a magnificent voice." "That is true," said Alice, "but she has long since broken off all intercourse with us." Such being the frame of her mind, she avoided likewise being alone with Milton, although she longed to bring about an explana- "Never mind," cried the excited musician; tion. She felt greatly embarrassed whenever |“that is of no consequence if she can sing he approached her. He, however, interpreted her silence, her endeavors to avoid him, in an opposite sense, and felt the painful consciousness that the gulf which was to separate him from Alice for evermore was daily widening. Meanwhile the rehearsals took their course, when suddenly an unexpected incident threatened to prevent the performance of the mask. The lady to whom the part of the nymph Sabrina had been assigned received quite unexpectedly a letter informing her that her mother had been taken dangerously sick. She resolved immediately to set out from Ludlow Castle, leaving the poet and the other performers in the greatest embarrassment. Lawes ran up and down like a madman, because he thought he had composed his fine music in vain. None of the ladies at Ludlow Castle possessed sufficient musical talents to fill the absentee's place. "What are we to do now?" cried the excited musician. "Where shall we find at so short a notice an equally competent songstress ? " well. She must be invited, sent for, and, if need be, forcibly abducted. Dearest Thomas, you must get us this treasure, this priceless jewel." "I will try my best." "Do so," said Alice, "and we shaH all be glad to greet our friend again after so long an absence." Under such circumstances Thomas was obliged to repair to Lucy Henderson and inform her of his sister's wishes. For some time past he had kept up a regular intercourse with the Puritan's daughter. Old Henderson's frequent absence from home facilitated the secret meetings of the lovers. At these interviews Thomas had depicted to the girl in glowing colors the interesting performance which was to be given on his father's birthday, and had thereby excited her curiosity. He offered her now an opportunity to be present at the mask, not only in the audience, as she herself had desired, but to take an active part in the play. The light-hearted girl was delighted with the invitation, and she uttered a cry of "I know one, and a better one," said joy on hearing the message which Thomas Thomas, rashly. "You?" asked his brother and Alice. brought to her. Her fears of her stern father, who considered such amusements sinful abom nations, vanished in the face of so alluring a prospect. "I, I am to sing before all the noble lords and ladies, and before you?" she exclaimed, joyously. "Oh, Thomas, you are mocking me." "I pledge you my word that I am in dead earnest. My sister requested me to invite you." "And I shall meet again with Alice, my dear foster-sister? May I really venture to go with you?" she asked suddenly, dropping | her eyes. “Never fear,” replied the youth, who understood very well what she meant. "No one at home suspects that we are lovers. I for one am only afraid of your father's anger, in case he should learn that you took part in a performance which he will of course regard as very sinful." “He shall and must not learn any thing about it. I have made up my mind. I can no longer bear this thraldom. I shall flee with you so soon as you go to London. You pledged me your word that you would not leave me here." "And I shall redeem my promise. I have already arranged every thing with Billy Green. He will accompany you to London." "I will follow you to the end of the world, if need be. I do not ask for any thing else than to live with you. I am ready to be your slave, only permit me to breathe the air in which you live. Ah, how I long for the day when I may throw off these chains which are so burdensome to me! I count the minutes and the hours up to the moment when I may leave our gloomy house. With you and in London! My head swims when I think of it!" "Try to be as calm as possible, lest you betray yourself. But how will you manage to play the part offered to you, appear at Ludlow Castle, and yet prevent your father from learning any thing about it?" "He is absent from home, and will return only after five days. The housekeeper goes early to bed, and I will devise some plausible subterfuge. I have long since bribed the servant-girl; the man-servant alone would be dangerous, but he does not sleep in the house. It is true, the gate is locked, but Billy Green has furnished me with a rope-ladder, which I have concealed for some time past under my pillow." ly. "And the dog?" inquired Thomas, anxious"Will he not betray you by barking? "Father gave him, at my request, to an acquaintance of his. The dog did not like me, and growled at me ever since I once hurled a stone at him. I did not want him any longer about me; his eyes looked at me with so singular an expression. He seemed to rebuke me silently for what I had done, and I did not rest until he had been given away. Our new watchdog knows me; I have made him quite tame by feeding him with cake. I need not fear him." "So much the better," said Thomas, absently. "Then you can and will take the part upon yourself?" "With the greatest pleasure," replied Lucy, "for what would I not do for you? Await me. at the old place." Lucy Henderson arrived on the following morning at Ludlow Castle to take part in the rehearsals of the mask. Alice received her former playmate and foster-sister with unfeigned cordiality, while she returned her caresses with some embarrassment. Her timidity, however, wore off very soon under the influence of the enthusiastic praise which all bestowed on her beauty, her fine voice, and musical talents. With great tact she managed to strike the key suitable to the company in whose midst she had been placed so suddenly. She moved in it as though it were her own sphere, for she possessed, in a remarkable degree, that talent of the fair sex to adapt ber self to the most opposite conditions of life, and assume at least the outward bearing of aristocratic persons. Her eyes beamed and her lips smiled with delight at the sight of the splendor and luxury which she had missed so long. Her light-hearted spirit dispelled every fear of the possible consequences of her hazardous step. The flattery, homage, and kindness which were lavished upon her on all sides, filled her with intense delight, but amidst her triumph her eyes sought her lover. Thomas, however, deemed it prudent to approach her as little as possible, lest his liaison with her should be discovered. Lawes, the enthusiastic musician, indemnified her for her lover's involuntary absence. No sooner had he heard her first notes than he declared loudly and publicly that she was destined to eclipse all the prime donne in the world by her talents. He took it upon himself to teach her the songs he had composed, and already after a lesson of two or three hours she made the most gratifying prog ress. "By the nine Muses!" exclaimed the delighted musician, "we have discovered a phoenix! It looks almost like a miracle. Dearest Thomas, how did you come to find this treasure?" "You have heard already," replied Thomas, "that the young girl is Alice's foster-sister and the daughter of old Henderson." other day I saw her walking on the bank of the Teme; it was already after nightfall. I intended to follow her, when she disappeared all at once. I would almost swear that she plunged into the waters of the river." "You are a dreamer," said the youth, smiling; "but I will give you a piece of well-meant advice: henceforth do not follow the lovely nymph, for you might get yourself into trouble." "How so?" "Old Henderson is a very rough sort of fellow, and Lucy does not want her father to find out that she is going to take part in our festival. Therefore, be cautious; otherwise he might prevent her yet from so doing." "Never fear. I know how to be silent. I would bite off my tongue rather than lose such a songstress, who will do so much honor to my compositions. But I persist in it, she is the nymph Sabrina." Notwithstanding this well-meant warning, the musician was already head over ears in love with the charming Lucy. This rapid conquest added to the mirth of the beautiful girl. She jested about it in an interview with Thomas, who advised her not to reject Lawes's homage, so that all suspicions might be diverted from himself. Thus the charming creature was flitting here and there in this intoxicating atmosphere, carelessly enjoying the pleasures of life, "Don't tell me that! I should sooner be- and displaying the amiable peculiarities of her lieve that a thistle produces grapes and a black-light-hearted nature. Her delight was at its thorn sweet tropical fruits. You mean to mock me. The surly, morose, canting Henderson, who has the voice of a hoarse bull-dog, the father of this lovely creature! Go, go! You talk nonsense. I will tell you who she is, and where she comes from." "I am very curious to learn it." "She is the nymph Sabrina in person, and dwells in the cool waters of the blue river. Have you not noticed that she is able to make herself suddenly invisible and disappear? The height, when Alice had her don one day, a short time previous to the performance of the mask, with the assistance of her maid, the costume which she was to wear as the nymph Sabrina. Her slender form was wrapped in a gold-embroidered white dress and a transparent veil. A wreath of bluish green reed-leaves, water-roses, and anemones crowned her dark hair, which flowed in long loose tresses down to her waist. A set of red coral jewelry adorned her beautiful neck and white arms. Thus she stood, rapturously admiring her own image in the costly Venetian mirror, while Alice was feasting her eyes, without the least feeling of envy, on the beauty of her fostersister, and arranging her costume with skilful hands. "Do you know," said Alice, " that you have become one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen? You have already conquered one heart here." boons God has vouchsafed to mankind, and robs her victim of his most precious possessions, his faith in woman and his love. No, no, you will not do so. I know my Lucy will not act so heartlessly. Perhaps you have not yet reflected upon it and examined your own heart. Young and inexperienced, you do not know life and the world. You are beautiful, but beauty is the most dangerous attraction which we poor girls possess. It diverts the Lucy crimsoned, and her heart throbbed mind only too often from higher things, and audibly. endangers our immortal soul. They resemble the foolish virgins whose lamp has gone out when the heavenly bridegroom makes his appearance." "Well, you need not be ashamed of your triumph. Mr. Lawes is a very good young man and an excellent musician. How glad I would be if you should, in consequence of his affection for you, return to our house, for hepentance filled her heart, and she dared not is employed here as music-teacher! May I raise her eyes to the innocent sister of her hope for this?" lover. "No, no," whispered Lucy, dropping her eyes. "And why not? Do you not like him, then? He is young, amiable, a master of all instruments, and, what is most essential, head over ears in love. Nor do you seem to dislike him. You need not conceal any thing from me, for we have grown up like sisters. Tell me frankly if you like him." "I-I do not know," faltered out Lucy, in great confusion. "What, you do not know? And yet you accept his homage, and encourage him by your smiles and kind glances. Do you know, my child, that your conduct would be reprehensible and inexcusable, if Lawes really were indifferent to you? There is, in my opinion, no more contemptible being than a woman fooling an honorable man, playing with his most generous feelings, and then spurning the victim of her heartlessness. A highway robber is not as mean as she is, for he takes only what he has need of. Poverty and distress generally make a criminal of him, while such a woman commits a crime against the noblest Lucy heaved a deep sigh. Shame and re "Have confidence in me," added Alice. "If you love another young man already, let me know it. Our old friendship entitles me to your confidence. I have no sister except you, and you stand likewise solitary and alone in a world full of treachery and temptation. How easily is a young girl misled, and loses in an unguarded moment the happiness of her whole life! All the sufferings and joys of woman arise from the same source. Happy the girl that meets in her path with a noble and honorable man, who does not trifle with her love!" Alice's words pierced the heart of her foster-sister like two-edged swords; for Lucy was not yet inaccessible to the force of such admonitions; but she thought of Thomas and kept silent. She had gone already so far, that she was unable to retrace her steps. "No, no," she murmured, scarcely able to repress her tears; "I do not deserve your kindness, but I will be grateful to you all my life, for I know you will not condemn and despise me." Before Alice was able to ask for an expla nation of these strange words, Lucy, overcome concealed the stage from the audience was by her feelings, embraced her with impetuous | profusely adorned with gold embroidery. A tenderness. Alice vainly tried to calm the ex- row of chairs was intended for the guests; in cited girl. A stream of tears rolled down the middle of this row arose a sort of baldaLucy's blooming cheeks, and convulsive sobs chin, under which the lord president and his indicated her profound agitation. But after a wife were to be seated. The galleries were few minutes her former smile returned to her assigned to the servants and the inhabitants lips; it was forced at first, but soon again as of the neighboring country. The wealthiest natural as ever. Her light-hearted frivolity citizens of the town of Ludlow received pertriumphed over this sudden outburst of the mission to witness the performance, and they despair of a heart which contained a strange appeared now in the hall with their wives and mixture of good and bad qualities. daughters, dressed in their holiday attire. Alice looked after her wonderingly and thoughtfully; her character was in striking contrast with Lucy's passionate and impressible nature. CHAPTER XVI. THE PERFORMANCE. THE earl's birthday came at last, and the performance of "Comus," by which it was to be celebrated, was about to commence. The stage had been erected in the large receptionhall. It consisted of a wooden platform, covered with beautiful carpets. The decorations and machinery were of very fine and ingenious workmanship, and by no means so simple as is generally believed nowadays. The so-called masks, a favorite amusement of the court and nobility, were always performed with an extraordinary and even lavish display of pomp and splendor. Such performances took place only on festive occasions of special importance, on coronation-days, at the weddings of the royal princes, on the birthdays of high dignitaries, etc. Their subjects were usually allegories, and more importance was attached to the expensive decorations and costumes displayed in them than to the poem itself. The wealthy and munificent countess had spent a great deal of money for gorgeous scenery and dazzling costumes. The curtain which The steward had enough to do to maintain order and decorum; and equally busy was Henry Lawes, who made his appearance at the head of his musicians, and took position with the band close in front of the stage. The orchestra consisted of several lutes, flutes, horns, and a harpsichord, which filled the place of our modern piano, and was played by Lawes himself. Six singers stood on both sides of the orchestra, to reënforce it by their voices. A lively commotion reigned behind the scenes. Actors and dancers, in fancy costumes, glanced once more over their parts, or performed their dances. Some stood in groups, conversing with great animation. The decorations offered to others cozy nooks, where they might talk with each other without being seen or heard by any one. In one of these recesses Thomas met with Lucy Henderson; a kiss and a few passionate words sufficed to dispel the doubts and fears which had arisen in the mind of the beautiful girl. Both spoke again of the flight of Lucy, which was to take place very soon, as the youth, in accordance with the wishes of his father, was to leave Ludlow Castle in the course of a few days, and accompany Sir Kenelm Digby to London, where a position in the household of her majesty had been procured for him. Sir Kenelm Digby embraced this opportunity to approach Alice and do homage to her. In doing so he availed himself of the privilege |