“He had met her on the road and in the woods. “But she passed him with a distant bow. “Yet if in the greatest glee his presence chilled her into unusual coldness, and although unconscious of the cause she could neither sing nor play in his presence. “Lawrence had often confessed that his case was hopeless. “Many disliked him from some cause; and, following in their footsteps, Clare, he thought, treated him with marked indifference. “It must be confessed, however, that although Clare had hitherto disclosed her secret thoughts to no one, yet, when alone, she often thought, “‘Every one is loved but me! I am not pretty, I know, neither have I many accomplishments. I wish I were like Emma Bray, for everybody loves her.’ “And then she would stealthily draw from her bosom a small gold locket which contained a ruby heart on which was cut a simple love motto. “She knew not who had sent it. “It came to her in a bouquet found on the dressing table on her birthday, and was the first present she had ever received from any admirer. “She mused and pondered, but dared not give utterance to her thoughts; yet as she passed the college gardens, and saw Lawrence walking up and down, her cheeks flushed, and bending her head more lowly than ever, she passed the buildings rapidly, and tried to stay her unnatural palpitations. “Thus ran the wild fancies of the wounded student about his true love, when a loud knocking and rapping was heard at Lord Stoner’s door. “‘Who or what can that be?’ thought Ashton. “But still the knocking continued in the dead of night, and the dogs barked in all directions. “When the hall porter opened the door, he perceived two white figures on horseback, with long, streaming hair. “The old hall porter rushed away and hid himself, for he swore that two ghosts had arrived at the hall. “When the truth was made known, it was discovered that the two arrivals were not ghosts at all. “They were two handsome females. “They were none other than Lady Bray and Clare Temple! “‘Where is my father?’ asked Clare, in great haste and fright, as she dismounted from her foaming horse. “‘Where is my uncle, the colonel?’ gasped Lady Bray. “‘What is the matter, ladies?’ asked Lord Stoner, in great alarm. ‘Why, heaven help us! the two ladies have scarcely anything on but their night-dresses. What is the matter? Explain, I beg, ladies, explain.’ “‘Arm yourself and your household!’ gasped Clare. ‘Arm them quickly!’ “‘What means this?’ “‘Arm yourselves, all of you, at once, or you are all dead men!’ “‘Explain,’ said the colonel to his daughter. “‘You know Redgill, who has proposed for my hand?’ “‘Yes.’ “‘I refused him thrice.’ “‘I know it; what of that?’