CHAPTER XXIX.

"Oh! north wind cease,

And let me listen for his coming tread."

YOUNG Surrel became hourly more assiduous, and either wanted modesty to perceive that his attentions were unwelcome, or delicacy to withdraw them on that account.

The annoyance to Julia was really growing serious; when, one morning after breakfast, Fitz-Ullin placed himself near our heroine, a thing not now usual with him. While in this situation, he took an opportunity of saying to her, in an under tone, "Will you grant me a few moments' conversation with you alone?" His late cold and constrained behaviour had made such a request so unexpected, that,

instead of colouring, she became quite pale, looked up a moment, and again hastily withdrew her eyes without reply.

"Do not mistake me," he added, with rather a haughty air, "but, I shall just take Lady Oswald on deck, and having left her walking with Arthur, return and explain myself imme\diately."

The proposition to walk was then made aloud. Lady Oswald had no objection, and asked Julia, as a matter of course, to accompany them. Our heroine declined; this was certainly consenting to the interview, Julia felt that it was, and coloured while she made her

excuse.

Lady Oswald and Fitz-Ullin left the cabin. Julia neither moved nor breathed, till their receding steps were lost in the confused tramping, which was always going on over head.

She then drew a very long breath, and began to prepare herself. "He will return immedi

ately!" she thought. She tried to compose her spirits, but in vain : her heart fluttered like a bird trying to escape from its cage. The tramping over head increased; she turned pale. It lessened; the colour stole gradually over her cheeks again. She listened, and breathing was again suspended, and every power of life concentrated in the sense of hearing. This became so acute, that, amid all the mingled sounds of a busy deck, she could yet plainly distinguish the well known tread of Fitz-Ullin on the main deck, approaching the cabin door. A cold sensation passed over her cheeks and brow. She clasped her hands together a moment, then let one fall at her side, and rested the other on the table. But there, its trembling movement was so visible, that with hasty confusion she withdrew it; and, fixing her eyes on the ground, held down, with a fatiguing effort, - the universal tremor of her frame. He entered. He stood before her. He seated himself be

side her. But, he made no attempt to take her hand.

One universal glow had covered her face and neck at his first approach, while she could have cried with vexation at the exposure. "You do not misunderstand me, I hope," he said, perceiving her pitiable agitation. "You must, I think," he continued, "be able to comprehend for what purpose I have requested this interview. You must have expected that I could not see Lord Surrel's importunate attentions, and remain passive."

She made no reply; but coloured, if possible, deeper than before, and looked more studiously downward; yet, Fitz-Ullin perceived the dawning of a pleasurable feeling shining through the confusion that covered as with a veil every other expression of her countenance. How can he be so foolish, thought Julia, as to be jealous of an absolute stranger, like Lord Surrel.

"I am rejoiced to perceive," he recommenced, "that instead of being offended at my presumption, you are good enough to seem disposed to give me a favourable hearing. It was quite impossible for me not to be fully aware-not to know, in fact, what are, what must be your feelings, yet,"—he paused. So audacious, so well assured a suitor, one who was thus certain, that her preference for himself must render the attentions of

else

any one importunate, did not seem to need encouragement; and Julia, though the tears of shame started to her eyes, was too gentle, too fondly attached to chide; she therefore remained silent; and, (must it be confessed?) uncontrollable delight predominated very unduly over the indignation she thought she ought to feel!

"At least, I should suppose I am right?" he continued, in a questioning tone. "If so-if," Julia at length seemed to consider some little manifestation of spirit necessary. "Most peo