"Dreadful!" exclaimed Beatrice, growing pale with apprehension. "Can nothing be done to rescue him ?" 66 Nothing, when you consider the safe custody that McAlpine is in with his fathomless uncle, Father Ambrose. If any scheme could be devised, you are sure of my aid. You may draw a bill at sight upon my exertions, to any amount, and whenever you wish to illustrate the theory of attraction only summon me to your presence. One only hope remains. Sir Allan had an attachment in life I know, which equalled in depth and fervour, he once assured me, the most fabulous imaginations of any poet. And can I wonder at that feeling now? Were he to meet, again, that one individual so deserving of his affection, and to realize all the hopes he confided to me in his happier days, could there be a doubt that Sir Allan would be restored to himself? Miss Farinelli, you must rescue him, for you only could succeed!" "Impossible! you quite misunderstand the brother-and-sister terms we are on: no more I assure you," replied Beatrice, becoming pale as death. "Think of me, as I trust Allan has learned to do, and as I do myself, only as a nameless foundling." "But in all else inexpressibly the superior of others. I know that the name of McAlpine is as old as any in Domesday Book, but what then? If you were a peeress in your own right, as I dare say you are, that could not make Sir Allan more devoted than he was. With the allurement of such a home as he once promised himself, my poor deluded friend might be recalled. He may yet become the envy of mankind,-mine more than all ! But it matters not! That shall not interfere The stranger paused, hesitated, and abruptly bowing to Beatrice, hurried away; but Lady Edith met him afterwards on the road, talking to this man, nodding to that, and laughing or chatting with all, the very picture of good-humoured hilarity and of general urbanity, as pleasant and sociable as if he had been candidate in a contested election. Beatrice proceeded homewards that day, pondering and re-pondering all that had been said by the rattling, yet clever and interesting stranger during this memorable walk; and she convinced herself that he was as pleasant as any one could be on a short acquaintance of only some hours. Her mind became filled with amusing reveries, in which he took a very prominent part, and she felt that her interest in him was of a very different nature from her preference for Allan, which had seemed from childhood a part of herself, now calmed down into a rational and reasonable friendship, tempered by a growing suspicion that he was in every hope for time or eternity a transformed being. Beatrice was not one to alter her feelings, like her dresses, in a day; yet could Allan, never writing one line to his old friends, be himself entirely unchanged? Often had the young mind of Beatrice built gorgeous fabrics of coming prosperity to attend on Sir Allan, when glory and honour were to be lavished upon the young Chief of McAlpine; and as the task of making her former companion happy had never been to her or Lady Edith a difficult one, she had sanguinely hoped to witness his future felicity, though she dared not think of sharing it; but now all these bright hopes on his account had vanished, giving place to the most gloomy apprehensions. A vision forced itself upon her thoughts, of Allan, always from a boy apt to be in extremes, especially when he could sacrifice himself for others, buried alive, probably, in the dark cold cell of a monastery, while others were occupying that property and fortune which the Divine Being had awarded to him as his birthright. "Yes!" thought Beatrice, mournfully endeavouring, though in vain, to occupy her thoughts with the everyday occupations of life; "if Allan has indeed fallen under strong delusion to believe a lie,—if he is indeed following cunningly devised fables, we are not only divided for this world but for ever. Allan! so long my only companion, whose remembrance is entwined with every fibre of my memory, you cannot be up-rooted from my thoughts. My friendship for you, Allan, can only be extinguished when memory itself shall perish, but our sympathy exists no more." CHAPTER IV. "Is there in human form, that bears a heart, Shame on his perjured arts! dissembling smooth! Is there no pity, no relenting ruth?"-BURNS. LADY EDITH Sat one morning early, reading, as was her usual custom at that hour, the Bible and some other works of intellectual devotion. Bright scarlet roses were rushing in at every window of her drawing-room, perfuming the gentle summer gale which refreshed without disturbing her, while the song of many birds in joyous concert resounded gladly among the surrounding trees. Lady Edith, who delighted to observe how much good prevails over evil, even in this world, looked cheerfully up, to admire and enjoy so many beautiful gifts of Providence, when she became startled to perceive McRonald, who had entered the room. unobserved, standing before her as pale as a sheet, his lips quivering, and vainly attempting to speak. "McRonald!" exclaimed Lady Edith, half rising from her seat, in sudden consternation, while Beatrice hastily left her drawing and came forward with anxious alarm. "Tell me the worst at once, McRonald! What has happened?" "If you please, my lady," said he, in accents that seemed to tremble with anger and grief, "that foolish, well-meaning idiot Bessie is below, and poor Robert Carre. This is a very different visit from their last." The old man, after a solemn and most sorrowful pause, during which a large tear rolled slowly down his time-worn countenance, mournfully added in a tone of smothered despair, "Two more heart-broken young people I never It is all Mrs. Lorraine's doing; but if any comfort can be found, they have come to the right place now when they come to your ladyship. Father Eustace has it all his own way now, but I wish the world and Clanmarina were filled with better people." saw. Lady Edith gazed at M'Ronald's agitated countenance with grave alarm, which became increased rather than diminished when at her desire he ushered in her two young favourites. It seemed but a day since they had appeared the happiest betrothed pair whom she had ever congratulated on their joyful prospects of spending life together in cheerful industry, integrity, and devotion; but now the wind seemed to have swept over all those honest hopes, those pleasant anticipations, and they were gone. Robert and Bessie entered not now, as before, arm in arm, both smiling with shy but conscious |