But is Mistress Mallet very beautiful, doctor ?" "Very beautiful, and very rich," he replied, "and the earl is desperately in love with her.

I heard him declare laughingly to the king, that if she would not consent to marry him, he would carry her off." "Just what he said to me," exclaimed Amabel--"perjured and faithless that he is!" "Harp on that string, doctor," whispered Mrs.Bloundel.

"You understand her feelings exactly." "Strangely enough," pursued the doctor, who, having carefully examined the miniature, had opened the back of the case, and could not repress a smile at what he beheld--"strangely enough, this very picture will convince you of the earl's inconstancy.

It was evidently designed for Mistress Mallet, and, as she would not accept it, transferred to you." "How do you know this, sir ?" inquired Amabel, in a mortified tone.
"Hear what is written within it," answered Hodges, laying the open case before her, and reading as follows: "'To the sole possessor of his heart, the fair Mistress Mallet, this portrait is offered by her devoted slave--ROCHESTER.' 'The _sole_ possessor of his heart!' So you have no share in it, you perceive, Amabel.

'Her devoted slave!' Is he your slave likewise?
Ha! ha!" "It _is_ his writing," cried Amabel.