reflections on the melancholy mystery that enveloped her own birth. What could have been the fate of her parents, that lady Louisa would not even entrust her with the particulars of it? Then, reverting to the cloud that still partially shaded the actions of O'Melvyl There again we sympathize,” she said. "Amidst apparent prosperity, gloom and darkness, in reality, enshroud us both." Thus finding no respite from distracting thoughts, she felt as if wandering amid the circles of a labyrinth, of which every path was terminated by one object, and that object was O'Melvyl! Meanwhile, how different were the feelings of Matilda! She thought, with increasing pleasure, on the amusement to be derived from her projected disguise, when, happening to hear lord O'Melvyl mention, with admiration, a lady who had appeared, on a similar occasion, in the character of Zara in the Mourning Bride, she altered her mind. The love of frolic gave way to to the taste for magnificence, and it was determined she should appear as a most dazzling Zara. Geraldine was to be one of her attendants. This resolution was taken with secrecy, as Miss Southwell did not wish lord O'Melvyl to be acquainted with her change of intention, but rather to be surprised on the evening of the ball with this delicate compliment to his taste. From that moment it must be supposed Geraldine was expected to lay aside a dejection for which she could ostensibly assign no adequate cause; and nothing was talked of but figure-dances, splendid dresses, and all the brilliant et-ceteras connected with the approaching fancy-ball. СНАР CHAPTER IV. -Look to behold this night In all this noble bevy, has brought with her Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! Like a rich jewel in an Æthiop's ear! SHAKESPEARE. THE fancy-ball at the Rotunda was expected to be the most splendid thing of the kind that had been seen for many years. It was under the patronage of ladies of the first consequence; and as the money subscribed was collected for a charitable purpose, it was not doubted, from the graceful readiness the Irish ever evince to to blend benevolence with amusement, that the books would be full to overflow ing. In order to concede something to the wishes of both parties, it was finally agreed that masks should not be excluded; still it was generally understood that the majority of the company would prefer appearing in fancy-dresses. Never was Geraldine seen to greater advantage than in the good humoured readiness with which she consented to take a secondary character to the haughty Zara. Desirous of producing an increased effect, Miss Southwell prevailed on lady Louisa to go very late, and the rooms were well filled; and there had already been some dancing, when, unmasked, and in the full radiance of youthful charms, Miss Southwell, arrayed as Zara, the captive queen, followed by her slaves, made her entré. All the diamonds she possessed, united to those of lady Louisa, sparkled on her bosom, in her aigrette and her chains, fancy her change of dress announced.-" It is only in such trifles it can be ascribed to me," she replied. "In matters of serious import, fickleness is a fault with which no one can charge me." "There then we completely differ,” answered O'Melvyl. "I confess my chief vice of character to be a certain way wardness and indecision, which torment myself full as much as any of those whom I have to deal with; but," he added, in a more serious and sentimental tone, "there are some things in which I can never change." Now would Geraldine have given one of the finest strings of pearl in her turban to know what those were; but it was O'Melvyl's fate, or perhaps his choice, to leave a degree of oracular doubt ever hanging over his most animated expressions. He did not add another word to this, but exclaimed, in a lively tone of voice, and with a sudden change of manner-" See that friar, sir Charles South well, |
