True love is ever thus respectful, and fearful to offend. Worcester, with much modesty, conversed on subjects unconnected with himself or his desires, apparently taking deep interest in my health, which, I assured him, had long been very delicate. Just before the curtain dropped, Worcester seemed again eager to say something on his refusal to accompany me to Amy's. "Leinster is coming to take you to your carriage, I know," said he, "and I wish----" "What do you wish?" "That you would permit me to explain something to you, and promise not to call me a conceited coxcomb." "Yes! I'll answer for her," said Fanny, "so out with it, my lord. Why be afraid of that great black-eyed sister of mine, as if she were of so much consequence?" "Well then," continued Worcester, blushing deeply, "Lord Deerhurst told me that your sister treated you unkindly, and that you never allowed your favourites to visit her. Upon my honour, I would rather never see you again, than pay my court to anybody who has behaved ill to you." Before I could reply Leinster came hurrying and bustling into the box as the curtain dropped. "You return to Oxford to-night, I believe?" said His Grace to Worcester, who replied that he must start at six in the morning. I advised him to take a few hours rest first. "That will be quite impossible," Worcester answered in a low voice. The young marquis's pale face certainly did grow paler, as he looked wistfully after Leinster, whose arm I had taken. First love is all powerful in the head and heart of such an ardent character as Worcester's; and there really was an air of truth about him, which not a little affected me for the moment; therefore, turning back to address him, after I had drawn my arm away from Leinster,--"Perhaps," said I, in a low, laughing voice, "perhaps, Lord Worcester, it may be vain and silly in me to believe that you are disposed to like me; but, as I do almost fancy so, I am come to wish you a good night, and to assure you that I shall remember your taking up my quarrels against my unkind sister, with the gratitude I always feel towards those who are charitable enough to think favourably of me." Worcester began to look too happy. "But do not mistake me," I continued, "for I am not one bit in love with you." Worcester looked humble again. "In fact," said I, laughing, "my love-days are over. I have loved nothing lately." "Not the Duke of Leinster?" inquired his lordship, whose anxiety to ascertain this had overcome his fears of seeming impertinent. "No, indeed," I rejoined, and Worcester's countenance brightened, till he became almost handsome. Leinster approached us with a look of extreme impatience. "Good night, my lord," said I, waving my hand, as I joined His Grace. Worcester bowed low and hastened out of sight.