Directly Lord Aspeden obtains another appointment, I am promised the office of Secretary of Legation; but till then, I am-- "'A captive in Augusta's towers To beauty and her train.'" "Oh!" cried Lady Flora, laughing, "you mean Mrs.Desborough and her train: see where they sweep! Pray go and render her homage." "It is rendered," said Linden, in a low voice, "without so long a pilgrimage, but perhaps despised." Lady Flora's laugh was hushed; the deepest blushes suffused her cheeks, and the whole character of that face, before so playful and joyous, seemed changed, as by a spell, into a grave, subdued, and even timid look.
Linden resumed, and his voice scarcely rose above a whisper.

A whisper! O delicate and fairy sound! music that speaketh to the heart, as if loth to break the spell that binds it while it listens! Sigh breathed into words, and freighting love in tones languid, like homeward bees, by the very sweets with which they are charged! "Do you remember," said he, "that evening at -- -- when we last parted?
and the boldness which at that time you were gentle enough to forgive ?" Lady Flora replied not.
"And do you remember," continued Clarence, "that I told you that it was not as an unknown and obscure adventurer that I would claim the hand of her whose heart as an adventurer I had won ?" Lady Flora raised her eyes for one moment, and encountering the ardent gaze of Clarence, as instantly dropped them.
"The time is not yet come," said Linden, "for the fulfilment of this promise; but may I--dare I hope, that when it does, I shall not be--" "Flora, my love," said Lady Westborough, "let me introduce to you Lord Borodaile." Lady Flora turned: the spell was broken; and the lovers were instantly transformed into ordinary mortals.

But, as Flora, after returning Lord Borodaile's address, glanced her eye towards Clarence, she was struck with the sudden and singular change of his countenance; the flush of youth and passion was fled, his complexion was deadly pale, and his eyes were fixed with a searching and unaccountable meaning upon the face of the young nobleman, who was alternately addressing, with a quiet and somewhat haughty fluency, the beautiful mother, and the more lovely though less commanding daughter.

Directly Linden perceived that he was observed, he rose, turned away, and was soon lost among the crowd.
Lord Borodaile, the son and heir of the powerful Earl of Ulswater, was about the age of thirty, small, slight, and rather handsome than otherwise, though his complexion was dark and sallow; and a very aquiline nose gave a stern and somewhat severe air to his countenance.
He had been for several years abroad, in various parts of the Continent, and (no other field for an adventurous and fierce spirit presenting itself) had served with the gallant Earl of Effingham, in the war between the Turks and Russians, as a volunteer in the armies of the latter.

In this service he had been highly distinguished for courage and conduct; and, on his return to England about a twelvemonth since, had obtained the command of a cavalry regiment.