the first sight of her had 
roused in him. His tone and manner altered at the same 



THE NEW MAGDALEN. "^7 

time. He addressed her with the deepest  when he 
spoke his next words. 

" Let me entreat you to  me by resuming your seat," 
he said. "And let me ask your pardon if I have thoughtless- 
ly intruded on you." 

He paused, waiting for her reply before he advanced into 
the room. Still spell-bound by his voice, she recovered self- 
control enough to bow to him and to resume her place on the 
sofa. It was impossible to leave him now. After looking at 
her for a moment, he entered the room without speaking to 
her again. She was beginning to perplex as well as to in- 
terest him. " No common ," he thought, " has set its 
mark on that woman's face ; no common  beats in that 
woman's breast. Who can she be ?" 

 rallied her courage, and forced herself to speak to 
him. 

" Lady Janet is in the library, I believe," she said, timidly. 
 Shall I tell her you are here ?" 

"Don't disturb Lady Janet, and don't disturb yourself." 
With that answer he approached the