place to the feelings inspired by the reflection of being now in the immediate vicinity of her father's ancient neighbourhood-that residence which he had been so unjustly, and, she feared, for ever banished from; wondering, if by any chance she came in her grandfather's way, whether he would notice her, and recalling to recollection the manner in which, should such a circumstance occur, her father had desired her to actnamely, in such a way as should prove her having been brought up to respect the ties which connected them. She wandered on, almost unconsciously, till her progress was impeded by a projecting rock, against which the waves broke in white foam, as if enraged at the barrier it opposed to their innovations.

"And thus," said Elizabeth, as, pausing and leaning against a jutting point of it, she saw wave succeeding wave and idly dispersing on the shore, "does hope succeed hope in the human mind ! scarce has one faded and become extinct, ere another

rises, calming perturbations of disappointment, and keeping aloof despair-friend of the unhappy, soother of the afflicted, but for thee, how dark and dreary were often the path of life! supported by thee what dif ficulties cannot man endure, what sorrows not sustain! Oh, never may my bosom cease to lodge thee! for, as the poet elegantly says,

"Hope, like the glimmering taper's light,

Adorns and cheers the way,

And still, as darker grows the night,
Emits a brighter ray,' 999

From her meditative attitude she was roused by a strain of wild, but exquisite melody; she started, and looked towards the summit of the cliff, whence it seemed to proceed, but without perceiving any one" Was it then an ideal sound I heard," cried she to herself, after pausing some minutes in expectation of its being repeated, "or one peculiar to these solitary regions, such as incline the unenlightened mind to superstition, and lead our rude forefathers to believe, that spirits rode on

the clouds, and sung on the winds of the rocks?"

She ceased, for again soft music floated on the air, and again like the strain that had preceded it, gradually died away amidst the cavities of the cliff, like the last faint sighs of expiring nature.

Elizabeth, now looking about her more narrowly than she had before done, discovered one of these cavities, and immediately opposite to it a corresponding one, divided from it by a narrow path; prompted by curiosity, she ventured within, and, passing the intervening space, advanced through the other; but scarcely had she issued from the farther outlet, when she started back, in confusion and dismay, at beholding a large party of gentlemen at dinner beneath the shelter of a cliff, a vessel at anchor near them, and, on a crag above them, the musicians, whose wild melody had drawn her to the spot. Her confusion, at starting thus abruptly upon them, was not a little increased by their exclamations at seeing her, and still

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further augmented, by hearing herself pursued through the cavern-her being alone and unknown to any of the party, making her dread meeting with some impertinence: But, notwithstanding her speed, she was overtaken, and her flying steps arrested by the seizure of her gown; panting and trembling, she turned to resent this insolence, but lost the power of utterance on beholding, instead of a presumptuous stranger, Captain Delacour. Her emotions at this unexpected meeting were such, as nearly to overpower her, and render his support necessary. For a minute she unconsciously rested against his shoulder, then, recovering to a sense of her situation, broke with blushes from him and moved forward. Delacour did not attempt to oppose her progress, on the contrary, he took her hand, and eagerly, hurried her from the beach, up a winding path amidst the rocks, in consequence of knowing he was not the only person of the party who had followed her; but on reaching a retired spot, at some distance from

the place where his companions had lost sight of him, he gently resisted her efforts to proceed" For a minute let me detain you," cried he, "to express the happiness this unexpected meeting has given me, and enquire to what fortunate circumstance is owing the pleasure of finding you in this neighbourhood?”

Elizabeth, in a voice trembling through agitation, a cheek flushed by emotion, informed him.

"How delightful!" said he, in reply; "how amply does this moment compensate for the pain I endured at being compelled to leave Heathwood in the abrupt manner I did!"

"Compelled! Elizabeth repeated the expression to herself; it was not then from pique or choice, but owing to necessity he had quitted it without seeking another interview with her delightful idea! her bosom swelled with rapture at it.

"The relation to whom I am on a visit here," continued Delacour, "apprized of