Without allusion to it, he continued to converse with his young companion, and artfully to draw out her own singular but energetic and gifted mind.

He grew more than interested,--he was both touched and surprised.

His manner became yet more respectful, his voice more subdued and soft.
On what hazards turns our fate! On that day, a little, and Sibyll's pure but sensitive heart had, perhaps, been given to the young Nevile.

He had defended and saved her; he was fairer than the stranger, he was more of her own years and nearer to her in station; but in showing himself ashamed to be seen with her, he had galled her heart, and moved the bitter tears of her pride.

What had the stranger done?
Nothing but reconciled the wounded delicacy to itself; and suddenly he became to her one ever to be remembered, wondered at,--perhaps more.