She repaired to him in the library; but his looks revealed even an increase of sullenness, and the words of conciliation with which she had proposed to greet him, instantly died on her lips.

At this moment, a servant entered with letters for them both; when, for the first time since their marriage, each was anxious to watch the effect which the perusal would produce upon the other. Alicia, having looked at the superscription of hers, and recognised the hand of one of her female acquaintance, laid it upon the table unopened; and fixed her scrutinising gaze on the countenance of her husband, who seemed, however, totally regardless of her observation, so intense was the evidently painful interest which his letter had instantly excited in him. He changed colour, his eyes flashed with rage, and his livid

lips trembled convulsively, as he refolded the

mysterious source of this strange and sudden paroxysm, and carefully deposited it in his pocket. Then, turning to his perplexed and agitated wife, he exclaimed, in a most angry and imperious tone,

Why have you not read your letter? Is it that you wish to reserve its contents for the privacy of your own chamber?"

"You, it appears," replied Alicia, maddened by jealousy, "could not restrain your impatience until an equally fitting opportunity; and the words of your correspondent, whoever she may be, seem to have affected you to a degree which I should once have deemed impossible."

Jules looked at her with indignation flashing from every feature; and, snatching up her letter, sneeringly demanded whether she had any objection to his perusal of it. Alicia

promptly replied in the negative, somewhat appeased by a request which she thought would justify her in addressing a similar one to him.

He tore open the seal; but had not read ten lines, before he franticly threw the treacherous paper upon the table, and rushed wildly from her presence; leaving her both astonished and terrified by his singular conduct. In the hope of resolving her doubts, tremblingly and anxiously she seized the pernicious sheet which had produced such fatal effects, and hurriedly read the following mystification:"

66

"Ma chère amie,

"We were all au désespoir at your sudden indisposition last night; but your old adorer, M. de Melfort, was still more affected

than any of us; another instance of fidelity, which again proves the truth of the old song,

"The poor man looked so disconsolate when you withdrew, that we were compelled in charity to do all we could to cheer him. I hope that you are better to-day; and that you will always believe in the attachment of "Your devoted friend,

"MARIA L'ESTRANGE."

This note conveyed to Madame de St. Armand the first intimation of M. de Melfort's return to France; a circumstance, however, which was so perfectly indifferent to her, that she looked upon this announcement of it merely as a mauvaise plaisanterie of Madame de L'Estrange, a species of amusement in

which that lady delighted. It was, however, evident, that this foolish jest, as she supposed it to be, had offended Jules; and, gratified at the idea that he still loved her sufficiently to be jealous, she left the room to seek him, and avow all that had shocked and grieved her during the last few hours.

He was nowhere to be found; but, on the table in her boudoir, she observed a twisted billet containing a few hurried lines, stating that he should not dine at home, and would not return till very late. Poor Alicia burst into tears while she perused this frigid announcement of an absence which would endure for several hours. And where was he gone? Jealousy answered the question, and darted its fiery fangs to her heart, as the thought struck her, that, even in that very moment, perhaps he was with her rival, and lavishing upon her those endearing affections which had been