hand and an imperceptible pressure of the knee. It seemed as if the docile creature intuitively divined his will. Francesca looked from the youth to the fair domain which was his portion: it was but a moment, and her attention again fixed upon him, but it was mingled now with many sad questionings of fate. Never before had she seemed to feel so keenly the inequalities of human allotment. "Why should Guido have perished in his youth?" she inwardly exclaimed. "Why should Robert Evelyn be an exile from the home of his fathers?—and why should I be doomed to waste the best years of my life, and the deepest feelings of my heart, in anxiety and neglect, while fortune lavishes every gift upon a favourite? Albert has never known a real care nor a real sorrow; and every earthly advantage conspires to the promise of his future. Alas! how much is there in life of which he little dreams!—and God forbid that its bitterest lessons should ever come within his experience! May that brow long wear its present glad openness, and those clear eyes long remain unshadowed! Methinks they are their own omen."
While this train of thoughts was passing in her mind a favourite greyhound was seen coursing rapidly through the park. Catching at once a sight of his master, the dog came bounding forwards,
