"It may be a fiend," murmured Marianne, in a low whisper. At this moment, the clock struck twelve.
Rosabella started at the sound. "Lord Gustavus will expect me," cried she.
"Go, then," replied the priest, "with Marianne. I will follow presently."
With trembling limbs, beating heart, and all the trepidation which the consciousness of guilt cannot fail to give even to the firmest mind, Rosabella and Marianne proceeded to the terrace, where they found Lord Gustavus waiting to receive them.
"You may think it strange, my Lord," said the agitated princess, as she advanced, leaving her confidant at the gate which led from the garden, "that I should desire this meeting."
"By no means—by no means," said Lord Gustavus, condescendingly. "Indeed, I have already had some conversation with an emissary of your's, that has let me into your views; and I find from him your ideas upon several important subjects are so clear, so just, so sen-
