Amen, say I.If they're so light of faith, and false in friendship to cast me off for a foul word or an idle story--curse it--I'm well rid of that false and foolish friendship, and can repay their coldness and aversion with a light heart, a bow, and a smile.

One slander I'll refute--yes--and that done, I'll close this idle episode in _my_ cursed epic, and never, _never_ think of her again.' But fancy will not be controlled by resolutions, though ne'er so wise and strong, and precisely as the captain vowed 'never'-- away glided that wild, sad sprite across the moonlit river, and among the old black elms, and stood unbidden beside Lilias.

Little Lily, as they used to call her five years ago; and Devereux, who seemed to look so intently and so strangely on the flash and whirl of the dancers, saw but an old fashioned drawing-room, with roses clustering by the windows, and heard the sweet rich voice, to him the music of Ariel, like a far-off dirge--a farewell--sometimes a forgiveness--and sometimes the old pleasant talk and merry little laugh, all old remembrances or vain dreams now.
But Devereux had business on his hands that night, and about eleven o'clock he had disappeared.

'Twas easy to go and come in such a crowd, and no one perceive it.
But Puddock was very happy and excited.

Mervyn, whom he had once feared, was there, a mere spectator, however, to witness that night's signal triumph.