CHAPTER XVII. "There was but one beloved face on earth- * He had no breath, no being, but in hers: To love within himself: she was his life, WHEN the Countess again awoke, the day was somewhat advanced. Her sleep, though heavy, had been unrefreshing, and her head ached violently; she found that she was quite unable to leave her dressing-room till late in the day. Lord Elmsdale, she knew, had a dinner engagement, and at this circumstance, Nina rejoiced. She had much to execute, before another night closed in; she had vowed a vow to herself, that the light of another day should not shine again upon her, and find her without having put her well-resolved plan into execution, and she was firm in her determination. Would that we all strove to imitate the conduct of this young creature, and be bold in our obedience, when reason and principle, point to the mark. Why should we in general, be so slow, in following the suggestions of the still small voice, which ever whispers within us, although we are so wilfully anxious to drown its importunate sounds, by irresolution, folly, or vice, and often by delay; the result of which is, that the spirit to do right, is too generally quenched, and the heart hardened. Alas! how many instances are before our eyes, which sadly prove, that the delay of a day, or even of an hour, in acting according to the promptings of a right principle, has involved the wavering individual, in sorrowful and irremediable perplexity. Let us then go on courageously, when the inward and sincere monitor whispers to us to proceed. Contrary to the faithful Lisette's earnest entreaties, that her lady would not think of leaving her apartment that day, her attentive eye having detected the hectic spot which excitement had kindled in the otherwise pale cheek of the Countess, and various other symptoms, which betokened an unnatural and feverish state-regardless of all these well-meant, but officious expostulations, Lady Elmsdale signified her intention of dining as usual, with any of the suite, who were not to accompany Lord Elmsdale to his state-dinner, at the Prince de V-'s. On inquiry, she found that Reginald and another secretary-a middle-aged person, who had long been in the Earl's con fidence, were the only two persons left to join her at the dinner-table. "Miladi, your hands are hot and feverish," persisted Lisette, as she finished the toilette of her young mistress, and a servant at the door announced that the repast was served. "Remember, you are not strong, and that at this moment, you ought to take care of yourself." But Nina, with impatience unlike herself, waved her off, and in a hurried manner descended to the apartment in which she had ordered the repast to be served; there she found that Mr. Brown, the senior secretary, had unexpectedly been summoned on business, which prevented his being of the party; she was therefore destined to dine tête-à-tête with Reginald. How different were the feelings of the two individuals upon this occasion! How weakly do those who love, grasp at trifles-luxuriate in matters of the merest moonshine! What in describable delight was it to Reginald, to take the place vis-à-vis to Nina, which would otherwise have been occupied by Mr. Brown! He might now without interruption feast upon the contemplation of the object before him-listen to her words, which she must now address exclusively to him. She would converse with him, turn her sweet eyes upon hima happiness of which, lately she had been strangely sparing; his heart beat with joy-his eyes sparkled from the same emotion. But to our poor little Nina, it was all very different. For, although she had most courageously nerved herself, and decidedly made up her mind, that during the course of that same evening, his fate should be sealed; although she had resolved to take this proper step, still it was a hard task-one of great difficulty. She knew it would give her the utmost pain, to inflict that which would be like a deathblow to the unfortunate youth. And the |