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"Rosa Tazewell! you are speaking of my brother, my friend and

benefactor! one of the best, noblest, most disinterested creatures

Heaven ever nant "You have no

warrant--I shall never give you the right--to asperse him in my

presence He is incapable of cruelty or unfairness It is my duty to

obey him, but it is no less a pleasure, for he is a hundred-fold

wiser and better than I ae As to his conduct in this affair of Frederic and enerous and consistent throughout

He has been cautious--never harsh!"

"So!" said Rosa, scrutinizing the flushed countenance of the other,

her own full of intense s!"

Mabel reddened s! What do you mean?"

"That the uncalled-for vehemence of your defence is a proof of

disturbed confidence, of wanting belief in the infallibility of your

se robes of divinity have been blown aside by

a chance breath of suspicion, and you had a glilad of it Scepticis when fealty to your betrothed may demand

disloyalty to the power that now is"

Mabel's save the lie direct to her asseveration

"I have no apprehensions of such a conflict Winston's word is as