315 



THE LOVE TOKEN. A TALE. 



" THIS is your handkerchief, Emma, is it not?" 



" Yes/' said Lady Mauden, as she turned her eyes from her harpsi- 

 chord to the inquirer. 



f( Well, Emma, you cannot refuse me this handkerchief not as a 

 memorial for I need not that but -as a gift as a token of friend- 

 ship " 



" No, George, that cannot be indeed it cannot " 



" Why? but no matter: and yet this is a trifling request. Emma, 

 Emma, you have but little feeling for me I know it; but when we 

 part this evening, you may be relieved for ever from my presence." 



" For ever, George!" said Lady Mauden, surprised into a tone of 

 anxiety " for ever !" 



" And what have I to do here? Is it not enough, that I am thus 

 guilty, without increasing that guilt by a longer stay without adding 

 to my distractedness, and rushing oh, Emma ! even tell me that you 

 do not hate me, and it will be some solace to me/' 



<e Mr. Leslie," said Lady Mauden, in a severe voice, ({ if I have been 

 the cause of any uneasiness to you, at least give me credit for regret, 

 we had, indeed, better part. Give me the handkerchief." Her lady- 

 ship rose from the harpsichord, as she spoke. 



" 'Tis all I ask, Emma. Leave it to me, and I quit you instantly, 

 and for ever." 



" The hankerchief, George I must have the handkerchief." Lady 

 Mauden extended her hand towards the still unwilling Leslie but at 

 that instant the drawing-room door opened, and Lord Mauden entered. 



" Why, Leslie, what's the matter? I have just been to the stables, 

 and Hennecy tells me, you have ordered your horses. Where are you 

 going at this late hour ?" 



tc My lord, I must leave you to night." 



" Leave us ! Well, of course as you please ; but I hope nothing has 

 happened in my house, to make your stay unpleasant." 



" Nothing, I assure you ; but in a few days you shall hear the reason 

 of this abrupt departure." 



" Make no strangers of us, Leslie ; do as you please ; and remember 

 this is your home, whenever it suits your pleasure or convenience." 



" This distracts me," muttered the young man ; but Lord Mauden 

 heard him not ; for the approach of the horses to the hall door attracted 

 his attention to the window. Lady Mauden had turned to a music- 

 stand ; but, to any one who observed her, it was plain she thought little 

 of the leaves, which she rapidly turned over. George Leslie observed 

 her : he was still in possession of the handkerchief; and now, as he 

 stood by himself near a centre table, he silently folded it, and put it in 

 his bosom. An unheard and unperceived step brought him to her side; 

 but her thoughts were too busy to notice it. 



" You will have a beautiful evening for your ride. I suppose you 

 face towards home ?" said Lord Mauden, his eyes still directed to the 

 window. 



" Lady Mauden," said George Leslie. She started as if from a dream, 

 and looked him full in the face. " Lady Mauden, fare you well." This 



Y2 



