gave me—a heart. Lord Marchmont, I have done wrong, very wrong: but you have been wrong also."
"Oh, yes! of course," cried he, "lay the blame upon me. It is a lucky thing that your uncle is dead, he would not like having you sent back disgraced on his hands."
"Thank God that he cannot know my shame and misery!" exclaimed the countess, while the mention of her uncle brought the tears to her eyes; but they were not allowed to fall, they only glistened on the eye-lash. "Lord Marchmont," continued she, "you yourself know that I am what is called innocent; but I do not for a moment extenuate the error I have committed. But I have some claims on your forbearance. Ask your own heart if it has ever shown to me that affection which is woman's best safety."
"How am I to be made answerable for the romantic nonsense which Sir George Kingston has put into your head?" asked he, angrily.
"Ah!" exclaimed she, "what I now urge
