“I am not well, Mr. Rushbrook,” said Matilda, languidly; “and you must excuse any want of etiquette at this house.” “While you excuse me, Madam, what can I have to complain of?” She appeared absent while he was speaking, and turning to Miss Woodley, said, “Do you think I had better walk to-day?” “No, my dear,” answered Miss Woodley; “the ground is damp, and the air cold.” “You are not well, indeed, Lady Matilda,” said Rushbrook, gazing upon her with the most tender respect. She shook her head; and the tears, without any effort either to impel or to restrain them, ran down her face. Rushbrook rose from his seat, and with an accent and manner the most expressive, said, “We are cousins, Lady Matilda—in our infancy we were brought up together—we were beloved by the same mother—fostered by the same father”—— “Oh!” cried she, interrupting him, with a tone which indicated the bitterest anguish. “Nay, do not let me add to your uneasiness,” he resumed, “while I am attempting to alleviate it. Instruct me what I can do to show my esteem and respect, rather than permit me thus unguided, to rush upon what you may construe into insult and arrogance.” Miss Woodley went to Matilda, took her hand, then wiped the tears from her eyes, while Matilda reclined against her, entirely regardless of Rushbrook’s presence. “If I have been in the least instrumental to this sorrow,”—said Rushbrook, with a face as much agitated as his mind. “No,” said Miss Woodley, in a low voice, “you have not—she is often thus.” “Yes,” said Matilda, raising her head, “I am frequently so weak that I cannot resist the smallest incitement to grief. But do not make your visit long, Mr. Rushbrook,” she continued, “for I was just then thinking, that should Lord Elmwood hear of this attention you have paid me, it might be fatal to you.” Here she wept again, as bitterly as before. “There is no probability of his hearing of it, Madam,” Rushbrook replied; “or if there was, I am persuaded that he would not resent it; for yesterday, when I am confident he knew that Mr. Sandford had been to see you, he received him on his return, with unusual marks of kindness.” “Did he?” said she—and again she lifted up her head; her eyes for a moment beaming with hope and joy. “There is something which we cannot yet define,” said Rushbrook, “that Lord Elmwood struggles with; but when time shall have eradicated”—— Before he could proceed further, Matilda was once more sunk into despondency, and scarce attended to what he was saying. Miss Woodley observing this, said, “Mr. Rushbrook, let it be a token we shall be glad to see you hereafter, that I now use the freedom to beg you will put an end to your visit.”