"You were home so late, my lady, and slept so late," she took a package from the fichu of her gown; "here is the letter, and it is from Selina Boyle." The Countess snatched it and stared eagerly at the fair Italian hand. "Read it," said Honoria Pryse; "it was worth the pains." Her mistress glanced down the epistle rapidly, then read it aloud as if she feared to lose even the sound of those words written in a sad sweet agony by a very different lady in a very different chamber. "GOLDEN SQUARE, _June 25, 1749._ "MY LORD,--I have your letter--you mind me that you have Only written to me once before, and that then I did Not Answer. I would I might refrain now from a Reply. In a Manner you have Broken the Bond of the sweet Reserve there was between us and unlocked a Heart of which you Only have the key. I am more Unhappy than this Time a year Ago ... the thought of your Discomfort and Passion Stirs in me a tumultuous discontent that I cannot easily overcome and of which it would be Weak to Write. As for what You ask of Me--be Assured that I shall never Marry--my Cousin _Francis_ overvalues my poor Affections and seeks continuously to Persuade me--my _Father_ also desires to see me Settled--but Nothing will Alter my Resolution. I would Rather have rested in _Bristol_, but in this matter had to follow my _Father's_ wish. "Let me know that You are content with me--but no more--I Fear it is Folly to exchange Regrets and Dangerous to dwell on a Forbidden Fondness, therefore be not Surprised if you Hear no more from "SELINA BOYLE. "POSTSCRIPTUM.--I saw the Countess at a Masquerade Last Week and Thought her a Lady a Noble might find himself Honoured to Own. "S. B." When the Countess finished the letter there was a silence; the maid watched her mistress quietly and made no further sign of interest nor any comment. The Countess frowned, pushed the spaniel away from her with the toe of her shoe and put down the letter on her dressing-table. "What is this to me?" she said sullenly. "Do I care to know that they are in love with each other? As well Miss Boyle as any other woman." "Well, my lady, I thought you wished to show my lord you were no fool; how has he treated you?" "Some day I am going to be avenged on them, Honoria," she said breathlessly. "Why not now, my lady? here are the materials." Lady Lyndwood waved her slight hand impatiently. "I cannot deal with that woman--he never sees her--it is all in the clouds." "You can bring it to earth," said Honoria Pryse. "What of her father--what of Sir Francis. Just now there is nothing in it, you can make everything of it." "Could I rouse my lord in that way?" demanded the Countess with a sudden gleam in her tired eyes. "In what better," Honoria answered; "what does this letter mean?" she lightly touched it. "He must have written to her saying he could not bear to see her married, and she says, 'for your sake I remain unwed,' what more?"