of an old-fashioned cut, and whose eyes were
also wandering round the room in search of
something. It was Margaret; and though for a
moment Lucy felt the old repulsion, her real
feeling was that of an overpowering tumult,
half of uneasiness, half terror, for she had an
instinct that he had returned also. For all through
she had associated the two. Here was Margaret
returned without him. Her heart sank. She
fancied she saw a triumphant, defiant look in
Margaret's face. She could not restrain herself,
and, fluttering over, stood before her, downcast
and trembling.

"Oh," she said, "you have returned! Where
is he?"

Margaret looked down on her coldly. "Yes,
he has returned, but not to you!"

Lucy had, indeed, seen that handsome face afar
off, flashing in a crowd of other faces. It was coming
towards her; but she saw it was grave and sad.
He did not speak to Margaret. Lucy flew to him.

"Oh, I am so glad," said Lucy, her joy
prevailing over every other feeling of doubt and
coming terror. "Oh, you have come back, I
was afraid you had left us for ever."

Now she noticed the gloom and almost hopeless
agony in his face. He said:

"Come away with me out of this crowd."

Margaret, standing by them like some evil
angel, never spoke. She looked after them
with her dull smile. "I shall wait and see
this out," she said. And thus the pair passed
through the room, to the amazement and
disappointment of the crowd. What! come back, and
in so dramatic a way?

"But there's a screw loose somewhere," said
Captain Filby, "depend on it. Didn't you see
the hang-dog look?"

Though she had a presentiment of some
mystery coming, Lucy looked up fondly at her
handsome lover now restored to her, as she
made that gratifying progress through the room.

"Lucy, Lucy dear," he said, when they had
got free of the crowd, "what will you say to me?
I have returned, but, oh! it has failed! How
shall I tell you? But we must not think of—of
—marriage yet, for years perhaps; indeed, we
should never have thought of it." She turned
pale, and, stopping short, gave a faint cry.

"Listen a moment. There is one course
which I could do, and which I should do; for
you must not be sacrificed. I could wait—
wait on here until a change came."

"And why not?" said Lucy, eagerly. "If
you are willing, I am willing—as long—as long
as you will."

"But that, Lucy, would be dearly purchased.
I should have to leave the army. We are on
the eve of some fighting, and for a colonel to
desert his regiment——"

"No, no," said she, "never! As you say, it
would be our disgrace. But," she added,
almost passionately, "I know this dreadful
mystery that seems growing in size every
moment? I know it," she repeated, firmly, " and I
believe and trust in you as much as I love you.
There! I know what you shall do, and what you
must do. You must go—leave this on the day
fixed. Never think of me. I shall face these
people, if I know that you are true to me—that
will support me—and will look forward patiently
to the day when I shall see you return."

A light came into his eyes. "Sweet, dearest
girl, if you can have such a trust in me, I believe
it to be the only course. Any other brings ruin
and despair. Ah! see, she is watching us!"
and they saw the figure standing not very far off,
stiffly and haughtily, with her cold eyes on them.

"She hates me, and would kill me, I believe
if she could," said Lucy, excitedly.

"Yes; she thinks, too, she has me in her
power, and is watching my struggles; but we
shall defy her yet."

"Why not now?" said Lucy, still excited.
"Tell her now of what we have resolved on.
That would destroy all her wicked schemes.
Come, quick!" Lucy eagerly drew her lover
over, and was before Margaret in a moment,
who still watched their approach calmly,
"I know all," said Lucy to her; "and we
have settled everything. He shall go; and
I can wait—wait for years—until he returns
when every obstacle shall have passed away—
and shall hope and pray for his return."

"Yes," added Vivian, "and you can return
to your unhappy brother, whose passions you
are working on, with news that I defy your
threats, and that this Dear Girl trusts me, and
trusts me for ever."

Two bright triumphant faces were looking at
her, full of love, hope, happiness, and security.
In spite of her cold command of herself, a look
of baffled rage worked in her features, yet it
was the rage of the lioness who cannot protect
her whelps. She said not a word; but, as they
turned away, looked after them with a sort
of despair.

"Then is this the end of all my schemes?
They will be happy at last, and he wretched for
ever! And I am to go back to his sick bed,
where he is lying in feverish expectation for this
great news. It will kill him. My poor, poor
brother!" She was baffled, but she did not
leave the ball-room yet.

No. 459, for February 8th, will contain the second Portion of
                          HOLIDAY ROMANCE
                        BY CHARLES DICKENS;
    And will be continued in each Monthly Part until
            completed in Four monthly Portions.

               Next week will be commenced,
                     GEORGE SILVERMAN'S
                              EXPLANATION.
                 ALSO BY CHARLES DICKENS;
     And will be continued in each Monthly Part until
             completed in three Monthly Portions.