For an instant a bright, sunny light, illumined her countenance, but in that same instant it had passed, leaving nothing but darkness and sadness behind, and her lip quivered with agitation, when she rose and tried to answer him, but her voice failed her many times before she could say, in trembling accents-- "You have placed a gulf between us, and you know I dare not pass it." Hargrave rose also, and staying her in her purpose of leaving him, he took both her hands, holding her from him, that she might see all the intense affection, which glowed in every line of his manly face. "Only tell me you love me still," he said, in a low, thrilling voice. "Oh! Henry, let me go," she cried, looking timidly at him; "this night of all others. Oh! let me go." "What!" he said, loosening her hands; "am I not worthy to speak to you? But I have deserved all this--richly deserved it; the guard I have placed upon my feelings must have seemed an insult." "No, no, Henry; oh! do not be angry," she said, entreatingly. "At least hear me then," said Hargrave, advancing one step to meet her, while his face grew pale as he spoke. "I am no longer that daring infidel you believe me, but a sinner condemned by the very creed I profess; little as I deserve it, will you take me back--back to that very innermost heart, in which I was once enshrined?" Was there any doubt to be implied in the cry of joy, with which Mabel sunk upon his breast. He looked down upon her with love and pride--such love, breathing in every changing expression of his features; but they were silent, there were no words that could have spoken all the happiness of that one moment. Time seemed to have gone back, and placed them as they were six years before, in all the fond and trusting confidence, which, till then, had received no check. But now a loud knocking and ringing announced the return of the gay party, much sooner than had been expected, indeed, for they had missed Hargrave, and, without him, and the certainty of knowing where he was, the ball was nothing. Their feet were on the stairs. "Mabel," he said, almost breathlessly, as he released her waist, and drew her hand within his arm, "there is no mistake between us--you will be my wife--say you will?" He bent his head to catch the murmured reply, and, at the same moment, the door was thrown open, and Mrs. Villars and her daughters stood aghast at the spectacle that presented itself. How beautiful Mabel looked, clinging to his arm, blushing, and trembling, and shrinking from the astonished gaze of her aunt and cousins. But for one moment only, and then, flitting past them, she was gone. "Sir!" said Mrs. Villars, drawing herself up and advancing to the attack, "your conduct surprises me."