Madeline stood with her back to the door, facing the glass; she was too much excited to look forward, or she would have seen the figure of Roland standing irresolute at the door, for he had heard all; and stood, not knowing whether to advance or retire. It was a picture for an artist, as he appeared listening to the impassioned words bursting from the lips of Madeline Hamilton. Roland towering above all present in height, with his broad expansive brow, on which sat enthroned a lofty intellect, the signet of true nobility; his fine dark eye, and firm, but sweetly expressive, mouth, his cheek glowing with the feelings of the moment; and Madeline, in all her youthful grace and beauty, with cheek suffused, and burning eye, her hand extended towards Harry Castleton, who durst not raise his eyes to hers--the room was silent--suddenly Madeline raised her eyes, and in the mirror opposite she saw the figure of Roland standing behind her, and covering her blushing face with her hands, she sat down, overwhelmed with shame. Roland advanced, with great dignity, towards Helen Thornly. "Will you favor us with some music, Miss Helen?" She advanced, glad to break the painful silence. Roland did not, for some minutes, approach Madeline; he understood her feelings, and spared her the pain of drawing any further notice towards the sorely mortified girl. When a suitable opportunity offered, he quietly took his seat by her side; he saw that she was suffering, for whenever she raised her eyes, they were moistened with tears, and her lips trembling with emotion. "Do not distress yourself, Madeline," whispered the young man, "be calm if you can; if you cannot, I will lead you to the other room." "Don't speak to me, Roland, I an ashamed of myself; such a burst of passion in this public place! I wish I were in my room; I am not fit to meet this provoking young man." "I thank you for the generous defence; but another time, Madeline, I will say more to you about it." "You despise me, Roland, I know that you do; for I despise myself." "Despise that warm and generous heart, Madeline! Never! do not entertain the thought for one moment; but I must leave you now; we are too much observed. I will call to-morrow, if you will walk with me to the Battery." Crossing to another part of the room, he found himself near Lavinia Raymond, and bowed politely. "Miss Thornly sings well, does she not, Miss Raymond?" Lavinia looked surprised, as though not acquainted with the gentleman, and made no answer. "Her voice is very sweet, and she sings with much feeling," he continued. Miss Raymond deliberately turned her back, murmuring, "Impertinent!" and crossed to the other side of the room. Roland smiled, for Madeline's warm and generous defence had filled his heart with secret rapture, although he could have wished that it had not drawn upon her so much notice.