brought the crimson to her face as she bent down, with a feeling of confusion, intermixed with happiness.
The joy which the lovers experienced during that delightful evening, was for years impressed on their memory; nor was the presence of Royalty, the novelties enacted on the stage, or the powerful strains of the orchestra sufficient to attract their attention, or interrupt the happy current of their thoughts and conversation.
Charlie conducted Bella to the carriage, where he took leave of her and George, promising to meet again on an early opportunity.
Little did Charlie think that evening, while drinking with fond intoxication every word which dropped from the lips of his adorable Bella, that there was another and more dangerous enemy than Lord Lundy within the walls of that theatre, and who watched with demoniacal gaze all his movements; this other enemy was no other than the profligate Melrose, who, on being disgraced and shunned by all respectable society in Edinburgh (after the exposure of his conduct in the Scottish Court), had made his way to London.
Unable to obtain any respectable situation there, for want of certificates or recommendations as to his previous character, he spent all his money in dissolute habits, and was now on the verge of starvation, unless something occurred by which he could earn subsistence. Visiting the theatre this evening, and purchasing a ticket with the last silver he was possessed of, he beheld his former adversary, Charlie Stuart, entering.
Hearing, through some private source, the rivalry and antagonism that existed between Lord Lundy and Charlie regarding Bella, and watching his Lordships jealous looks, a diabolical expedient to raise money and satisfy his own revenge seized him at once, which he resolved, next day, to put into execution. He, next morning went direct to his Lordship's residence, sent in his card, and wished to be admitted at once, on the plea of having business of importance to communicate.
Melrose could not have arrived at a better moment for the purpose of making his base proposition, for Lord Lundy had passed a restless night occasioned by the
