4

His eyes were fixed intently on the down cast countenance
of Mrs Clifton. He frequently drew a long and deep sigh, and
once D'aubigne saw him draw his hand across his brow.
The room was so thronged, the company so engaged in dancing,
or in watching those who danced, that this mute scene passed
unobserved nad D'aubigne rejoiced that he was its only witness.
His anxiety and apprehension were increased beyond endurance.
All he had heard from the artless Rosa, all he had himself
observed, convinced him that the friend, the center of his soul
was miserable. Perhaps--the suggestion was too dreadful
to be indulged for a moment. "No no," he exclaim-
ed to himself, no, Julia may be unfortunate, but it is
impossible she can be guilty.--But she is in danger-
alas, that is now too evident--And not I save,
cannot I snatch her from the precipice on which she
stands. for surely she is on its very verge--else why
such sympathetic sadness between her and that interesting
stranger. Yet this may be accidental--he may be affected,
as I am affected by the sight of so much youth and beauty
thus {depressed?}! But who is he? may it
not be the frequent and assiduous visitor of whom Rosa spoke-
yet the description answers--tall -- handsome---blue eyes--
and light hair.
Uncertainty was too painful, voluntarily to be
endured, and he mingled in the crowd intending as soon
as the stranger should quit his present situation, to enquire
his name--Now, he would not, however intolerable might
be his impatience, lest he might betray, what he wished
to conceal from the observation of others. Altho' he
conversed with the circle whom he joined, his eye frequent-
ly glanced to the spot where Julia sat, and it was not
without strong emotion, he saw the start she gave, in hearing
a sigh from the stranger--when he saw the deadly paleness
that came over her face when lifting it up to see
from whence that sigh proceeded, she discovered who stood
near her.--The next moment, the stranger drew a chair
close to Mrs Clifton; and while he turned over the prints, as
if engaged imagining them, entered into an
agitating conversation, the interesting nature of which
could be easily{ grasped,guessed?} from the varying expression