trust for intelligent sympathy to our guardian angels, if any there
be,« said Zenobia. »As long as the only spectator of my poor tragedy is a young
man, at the window of his hotel, I must still claim the liberty to drop the
curtain.«
    While this passed, as Zenobia's hand was extended, I had applied the very
slightest touch of my fingers to her own. In spite of an external freedom, her
manner made me sensible that we stood upon no real terms of confidence. The
thought came sadly across me, how great was the contrast betwixt this interview
and our first meeting. Then, in the warm light of the country fireside, Zenobia
had greeted me cheerily and hopefully, with a full sisterly grasp of the hand,
conveying as much kindness in it as other women could have evinced by the
pressure of both arms around my neck, or by yielding a cheek to the brotherly
salute. The difference was as complete as between her appearance, at that time -
so simply attired, and with only the one superb flower in her hair - and now,
when her beauty was set off by all that dress and ornament could do for it. And
they did much. Not, indeed, that they created, or added anything to what Nature
had lavishly done for Zenobia. But, those costly robes which she had on, those
flaming jewels on her neck, served as lamps to display the personal advantages
which required nothing less than such an illumination, to be fully seen. Even
her characteristic flower, though it seemed to be still there, had undergone a
cold and bright transfiguration; it was a flower exquisitely imitated in
jeweller's work, and imparting the last touch that transformed Zenobia into a
work of art.
    »I scarcely feel,« I could not forbear saying, »as if we had ever met
before. How many years ago it seems, since we last sat beneath Eliot's pulpit,
with Hollingsworth extended on the fallen leaves, and Priscilla at his feet! Can
it be, Zenobia, that you ever really numbered yourself with our little band of
earnest, thoughtful, philanthropic laborers?«
    »Those ideas have their time and place,« she answered, coldly. »But, I
fancy, it must be a very circumscribed mind that can find room for no others.«
    Her manner bewildered me. Literally, moreover, I was dazzled by the
brilliancy of the room. A chandelier hung down in the centre, glowing with I
know not how many lights; there were separate lamps, also, on two