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mental qualities as the world did not see them , or, rather, intercourse with a mind like his called them forth as scarcely any other person she had ever met had done. She recognized in this man a nature kindred to her own, only so much more developed, so much wider and firmer, and more serene in its masculine strength and maturity of manhood, that, for the first time in her life, she was content to reverence as well as admire, and be glad to confess that, in following his conversation, and sympathizing in his ambitions and aspirations, she was forced constantly to look up.
with an expression which she could not understand. Finally, when the business of the day had been settled, and it was known who was to ride, and who drive, Wellesley left May's sofa, and came over to the window where Cora was seated in the shadow of the curtains, with her back to the light. " I was almost sorry I had urged on the party when I saw you looking so pale, " he said ; "but, after all, I think the fresh air will do you good.” "Indeed , I am perfectly well, " she answered, too much subdued even to be impatient, as she might at another time of such close scrutiny The time came when she began to wonder and power of reading her feelings as his words that a man like this could have been attracted revealed. toward a gorgeous little butterfly such as May, " Then out of spirits, " he added, " which is lovely and bewitching as she was. Then she rather worse to bear." despised herself for so contemptible a thought, "I cannot be that either," she answered, and sternly told herself that it was just such " since I have no reason." bright, yielding, darling little creatures who "I believe one's spirits take the liberty of got such wealth of adoration in going through going down to zero without that, " he said. "I this world ; and added still more ferociously, should be sorry to think you had any real with a shake of her head at the proud, still cause." His voice sounded so gentle and kind, it was face looking at her out of the glass, that they deserved it much more than a cold- blooded , im- such a marvelous voice in the way of expres perious animal, such as her own type of women sion and intonation, that it made Cora feel more were. babyish than ever ; and she began to be afraid Then, all of a sudden, an old , lonely feeling that she had not yet had her cry out. came over her, and she began to think how She left the room as quickly as possible, and beautiful it would be to have such love and once in her chamber, she took herself to task so worship, and to reflect that if she had tried to fiercely, that she looked as proud and cold as be different it might have come to her. She Diana by the time she again appeared among felt the tears slowly rolling down her cheeks, the people down stairs, arrayed in her ridingand dropping warm upon her hands, and though habit, and looking her best therein, as a gracefor her life she could not have told why they ful woman does. flowed, she sat there and wept for a long time. It was the pleasantest possible day ; the exWhen she was composed again, she assured her- pedition was an entire success ; everybody was self that it was only because she was nervous, agreeable and bright ; but the whole thing was finding a dozen reasons, as women will under an intense weariness to Cora, though, to save such circumstances, all as far removed from her soul, she could not have given a reason therefore. any approach to the truth as possible. There came a message from her aunt, desiring She looked at May, surrounded by a group of her immediate appearance down stairs ; so there men, so merry and full of spirits, and she wonwas nothing for it but to wipe away the trace of dered at her own stupidity and obstinacy in reher tears and go down. Several people were fusing to be amused. assembled ; they were discussing a riding-party "I am getting to be a doleful old parrot, " to some place of interest, and her opinion was she thought, angrily. "I declare, I need not required. put on spinster airs sooner than is necessary ! Nobody seemed to notice anything unusual Cora Lasley, I am completely disgusted with either in her manners or looks, and Cora con- you." gratulated herself thereupon most heartily. Mr. She made a great effort, found a resemblance Wellesley had bowed and spoken pleasantly on of gayety somewhere, and rushed out of her her entrance ; but May seemed to be in one of silent mood into the other extreme, and astonher gracious moods, and was talking to him inished and delighted everybody by her brilliancy. a low tone ; so, of course, he did not approach Everybody that is, except Hugh Wellesley: sho Cora for some time. Once or twice she looked caught him looking at her again with that od1 up suddenly and caught his eyes fixed upon her expression she had noticed in his eyes that
