84 MODERN CONSTANCY. 



How did her heart thrill when the Count imparted to her the 

 real secret of his seclusion, and when she saw in him not only 

 the accomplished nobleman, but also the persecuted and pro- 

 scribed patriot ! A moving tale of his sufferings in the cause of 

 freedom, an avowal of his most unpronouncable name, and a 

 declaration that he was in reality a banished Pole, completed 

 his conquest over the heart of the romantic girl. When at 

 length he avowed his passion, and besought her to cherish in 

 secret the love which he dared not claim openly, she yielded to 

 the dictates of her bewildered fancy, and promised all he asked. 

 In pledge of faith he drew from her finger a slender circlet of 

 gold, which Cousin Frank had given her, and placed in its stead 

 a rich ruby ring, which, not daring to exhibit, she attached to 

 a ribbon, and concealed within her bosom. 



Matters had just reached this crisis, when cousin Frank 

 returned from sea. Fanny had never before shrunk from his 

 presence ; but now she had a vague fear, an indefinite sense of 

 something which seemed half remorse, half regret. 



" What will you say to me, Fanny, when I tell you I have 

 brought home a wife ?" was his first question. 



A sort of suffocating sensation rose in Fanny's throat as she 

 struggled to reply, 



" A wife, Frank ! where did you find her ?" 



" In Liverpool, — she wanted to find a husband, and I was 

 kind enough to assist her." 



