Radiantly beautiful looked the fair young stranger this morning, in the

dark, bright-blue cloth habit that so highly enhanced the dazzling

splendor of her blooming complexion and the golden glory of her hair.

An instant Sybil paused in involuntary admiration, and then recovered

herself and greeted the lady with affectionate warmth.

"It is nearly eight o'clock, dear, and breakfast is quite ready. Will

you come now?" inquired Sybil, when these salutations were passed.

Rosa assented with a sweet smile, and Sybil led the way into her own

sitting-room.

Mr. Berners had come in during his wife's short absence, and he now

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stood before the fire with the morning paper in his hand. He put it down

on the table, and came forward to meet his wife, and to welcome her

guest.

"Mrs. Blondelle, Mr. Berners," said Sybil, introducing the parties to

each other by the simplest formula.

And while they were bowing together, Sybil was watching mischievously to

see what effect the dazzling beauty of Rosa Blondelle would have upon

Lyon Berners.

She saw it!

After bowing, they lifted their heads and looked at each other--he, at

first, with the courtesy of a host--but she with a radiant and

enchanting smile.

Sybil was prepared to see Lyon's surprise at the first view of this

peerless creature; but she was by no means prepared to witness the

involuntary gaze of intense and breathless admiration and wonder that he

fixed for a moment on her beautiful face. That gaze said as eloquently

as words could have spoken: "This is the most wondrous, perfect creature that the world ever saw!

This is the master-piece of nature."

With the sunlight of her smile still shining on him, Rosa held out her

hand, and said in the sweetest tones: "Sir, I have no words good enough to tell you how deeply I feel your

kindness and that of your dear wife to me."

"Dear lady, Mrs. Berners and myself do but gratify our own tastes in

trying to serve you; for it will be a great happiness to us if we

succeed in doing so," replied Lyon Berners, with a look and tone that

proved his perfect sincerity and earnestness.

As thus they smiled and glanced, and spoke to each other, Sybil also

glanced from the one to the other; a sudden pang shot through her heart,

exciting a nameless dread in her mind. "Even so quickly may one catch

the plague!"

"Let me lead you to the table," said Mr. Berners, offering his arm to

Mrs. Blondelle, and conducting her to her place.

Above all, Sybil was a lady; for she was a Berners. So, with this

strange wound in her heart, this vague warning in her mind, she took her

seat at the head of her table and did its honors with her usual courtesy

and grace.




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