inhale the scents of the flowers that perfumed the gale, and tufted the roots of the old trees that shadowed the path.

To the feelings, however, which occasioned this indifference to what was wont to charm her, she did not submit with impunity; she accused herself of weakness, of caprice, of ingratitude, for ever having experienced or yielded to such, for ever having given way to the discontent, the regrets which, for the few last hours, had pervaded her mind-"Yes," she said to herself, "I deserve to be punished for indulging (as she could no longer disguise to herself having done) reflections injurious to the generous man to whom I have promised to give my hand, for having suffered myself to draw invidious comparisons between him and a stranger, who may have nothing but personal accomplishments to recommend him: had any force, any influence been exerted to induce me to plight the promise I have given, my present feelings might, perhaps, in some degree be excusable, but, having volunta

rily pledged it, nothing short of the con viction of the worth which led me to do so being but imaginary, could at all justify them. Oh, why is human nature so way-ward! why, in the midst of the most smiling prospects, does the sighing heart still remind us of the imperfection of human happiness! but I will stifle the sighs of mine," she continued, "I will fly from the thoughts that gave them birth."

Still, however, she continued to linger in her favourite haunt, though but too con-. scious its solitude, its silence, rather tended to promote than dispel the feelings she wished to overcome.. The crimson glow of evening began to fade, its shadows. deepened, and fainter, and less frequent grew the carol of the birds, but still she attempted not to retire, when suddenly she was roused from her pensive reverie by the sound of feet in the inner apartment, and, starting from the rustic couch on which she had thrown herself, she bent forward, and beheld the stranger advancing from the door opening to the heights.

The surprise, the confusion she betrayed at the moment, were sufficient to induce a belief of his having alarmed her, a belief which his looks and address implied his. feeling-"I seem destined," cried he, eagerly approaching her, and with a smile of mingled sweetness and animation, “to alarm you-but for the idea of having been now so unfortunate as to do so, how should I rejoice at this moment."

These words did not tend to lessen the emotion of Elizabeth; she trembled, blushed still more deeply, said something that was not perfectly intelligible, and moved in-. voluntarily towards the door.

The stranger followed" Nay," said he, "I shall indeed begin to imagine myself an object calculated to inspire terror, if my appearance still causes you to fly."

"I-I-really, Sir," replied Elizabeth, making a vain effort to speak with composure, "was about quitting this at the instant you appeared."

"Well Madam," but smiling a little reproachfully, as if doubtful of the truth

of this assertion, and presenting his hand to assist her down the steps of the temple, “I will not have the temerity to oppose your departure, however I may regret its being so precipitate."

Pray do not let me be the means of taking you hence," said Elizabeth, pausing on perceiving him appear as if he meant. to accompany her.

"I had no settled intention of remaining here any time, I assure you, and shall, therefore, conceive myself not only honoured but obliged, by being permitted to attend you hence."

Elizabeth, but with a fluttering heart, signified, by a bow, her compliance with this request, since to have refused it would have been, she conceived, to incur the imputation of distrust or prudery, neither of which she liked the thoughts of being accused of.

CHAP. IV.

"Why he can smile, and murder while he smiles
And cry content to that which grieves his heart,
And wet his cheek with artificial tears,

Aud frame his face to all occasions."

SHAKSPEARE.

THE animated remarks of her companion convinced Elizabeth he was a stranger to the agitation and embarrassment she felt at the moment. As they slowly proceeded, the tall trees beneath which they walked gently rustling in the breeze, and from the adjacent shades the droning beetle flitting across their path, he expatiated with rapture on the scenes by which they were surrounded, and the effect, particularly at such an hour as the present, they were calculated to produce upon the mind, of the tranquillity they communicated to the