“I wonder how many matches would be made upon that rule!” said Rufus, as they parted and Mr. Herder joined the company within.

“They would be all matches made by other people,” said Winthrop.

“And on the principle that ‘to-morrow never comes’ —­ the world would come to an end.”

So they entered the drawing-rooms.

There were many people there, and certainly for the present there were few unsatisfied faces; for the bride was lovely enough and the bridegroom of consequence enough, to make compliments to them a matter of pleasure to the giver.  The room was blooming with beauty and brightness.  But Miss Haye was not there; and as soon as they could withdraw from the principal group the two brothers made their way to an inner room, where she stood, holding as it were a court of her own; and an unpropitious monarch she would have looked to her courtiers had they been real ones.  Her face was as lowering as Mr. Herder had described it; settled in pain and pride; though now and then a quick change would pass over it, very like the play of lightning on a distant cloud; —­ fitful, sharp, and traceless.  Just as Rufus and Winthrop had made their bow, and before they had time to speak, another bow claimed Elizabeth’s return, and the tongue that went therewith was beforehand with theirs.  The speaker was a well dressed and easy mannered man of the world; but with a very javelin of an eye, as ready for a throw as a knight’s lance of old, and as careless what it met in its passage through humanity.

“You have wandered out of your sphere, Miss Elizabeth.”

“What do you mean, sir?” —­ was given with sufficient keenness.

“The bright constellation of beauty and happiness is in the other room.  Stars set off one another.”

“I shine best alone,” said Elizabeth.

“You disdain the effect of commingled and reflected light?”

“Yes I do, heartily, in this case.  I wish for no glory that does not belong to me.”

“But does not the glory of your father and mother belong to you?” said the gentleman.  He spoke with the most smooth deference of manner, that all but covered his intent; but the flush and fire started into Elizabeth’s face reminding one of the volcano again.  Her eye watered with pain too, and she hesitated; she was evidently not ready with an answer.  Perhaps for that reason it was given with added haughtiness.

“You need not trouble yourself to reckon what does or what does not belong to me.  I know my belongings, and will take care of them.”

“You are satisfied with them,” said the gentleman, “and willing they should stand alone?”

“I am willing they should take their chance, sir.”

“I know no one who can better say that,” remarked Rufus.

“With better confidence, or better grounds do you mean?”

“I hope you do not need to be told!” said Rufus, his eye sparkling half with fun and half with admiration at the face and manner with which Elizabeth turned upon him.