“Indeed, you are upon one subject, if you did but know it. Once more, will you enfranchise my hand?” “Do I look as if I would, lady of mine?” “No! no! you do not! You never will! very well! be the consequences on your own head.” “Amen. I pray for no better.” “Heaven pity me!” “My dearest, most capricious love! I do not know the motive of your strangest conduct; it may be that you only try the strength of my affection--try it, Marguerite! you will find it bear the test--but I do know, that if I doubted the truth of yours, I should disengage your hand at once.” There followed words of passionate entreaty on her part, met by earnest deprecation and unshaken firmness on his; but the spell was over her, and the scene ended as it had done the day previous; Philip was the victor, and the engagement was riveted, if possible, more firmly than before. Again Philip departed rejoicing; Marguerite, almost raving. Yet Marguerite loved no less strongly and truly than did Philip. Later in that forenoon, before going out, Nellie went into Marguerite’s chamber, where she found her friend extended on her bed, so still and pale that she drew near in alarm and laid her hand upon her brow; it was beaded with a cold sweat. “Marguerite! Marguerite! what is the matter? You are really ill.” “I am blue,” said Marguerite. “Blue! that you are literally--hands and face, too.” “Yes, I have got an ague,” said Marguerite, shuddering, “but I will not be coddled! There.” In vain, Nellie, with a great show of solicitude, urged her services. Marguerite would receive none of them, and ended, as usual, by ordering Nellie out of the room. In a few days the engagement between Mr. Helmstedt and Miss De Lancie was made known to the intimate friends of the parties. The marriage was appointed to take place early in the ensuing winter. Then the Richmond party dispersed--Colonel and Mrs. Houston went down to their plantation in Northumberland County; Philip Helmstedt proceeded to his island estates on the coast, to prepare his long-deserted home for the reception of his bride. And, lastly, Marguerite, after a hurried visit of inspection to Plover’s Point, went “gypsying,” as she called it, for the whole summer and autumn. Upon this occasion, her mysterious absence was longer than usual. And when at last she rejoined her friends, her beautiful face betrayed the ravages of some strange, deep bitter sorrow. Upon the following Christmas, once more, and for the last time, a merry party was assembled at Compton Hall. Among the guests were Nellie and her husband, on a visit to their parents. Marguerite De Lancie and Philip were also present. And there, under the auspices of Colonel and Mrs. Compton, they were united in marriage. By Marguerite’s expressed will, the wedding was very quiet, and almost private. And immediately afterward the Christmas party broke up.