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window open all I heard was the soft murmur of the river flowing past, and the sigh of the breeze amongst the flowers, with an occasional sound of voices in the distance. The stillness was very sweet, but it made me sad, it so encouraged reflection. The events of the previous day were acted over and over again—in my mind's eye I saw everything as in a glass, and my feelings were awakened as the events passed in review, with a keenness-a susceptibility that was agonizing.

Again I sat beneath the beautiful acacia a; step by step he came nearer, and the throbbing of my heart came back again; there was the cold greeting-the converse, distant at first, but bringing us nearer as we talked on. There was the deep sense of enjoyment, as we floated down amongst the lilies, and the soft shadows, and the glowing sunshine, with the river's tide; the fulness of happiness as our eyes met, and I felt laid upon my heart, the soft balm of sympathy; gently as a dream, it glided in, and soothed that heart's beatings and flooded it with a joy-so pure, so calm, that it seemed less of earth, than of heaven. And then came the fearful moment, when,

plunged deep, deep beneath the waves, I faced grim Death-the ecstatic thrill that came with the sense of preservation by his hand-hisLionel! and then, oh! horror of horrors the wild agony of seeing him sink into those awful depths, perhaps lost to me for ever, meeting himself, with the same death from which he had delivered me. No, no, he must be saved! and again the madness of that hour came over me, and I would have faced danger and the grave. The cold dew stood on my brow, and like a vision, the pale, ghastly form I dragged on shore, rose before me, and I clasped my hands, and wept in agony; and then I fell on my knees and prayed-prayed for him, as the "brother of my soul!" fervently, but purely, that prayer was breathed forth, an angel he might have been-for all that there was of earthly in my thoughts at that moment, yet dear, dearer than life had that being become.

CHAPTER VII.

The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen,
As is the razor's edge invisible,

Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen;

Above the sense of sense: so sensible

Seemeth their conference: their conceits have wings

Fleeter than arrows, bullets, wind, thought, swifter things."

SHAKESPEARE.

The world is grown so bad,

That wrens may prey where eagles dare not perch:

Since every Jack became a gentleman,

There's many a gentle person made a Jack."

RICHARD III.

"I HAVE received a letter from Captain Howard," said Lady Ravensden, when she came into my room on the following morning.

'Ah!" I cried, and stopped, almost afraid of asking a question, but gazing at her with an earnest look, which strove to read the news

in her face; it was very grave, and my heart beat fearfully.

"Yes!" she said, slowly, "it was a great pity Mr. Grey persisted in rushing off as he did-"

"Why-what-what? Ah! Lady Ravens

den !"

"My dear girl, do compose yourself, it is no more than one might have expected; feverish symptons manifested themselves on his arrival in town, and-but I am wrong in telling you, as you are exciting yourself so much about it."

No, no; you must, dear Madam, tell me -tell me the worst."

"Then that is, that he was in a high fever, when Captain Howard wrote-”

"And he will die!" I exclaimed, convulsively pressing my hands together. "Oh! let me go to him! will your ladyship kindly give the necessary orders for our return to town? It seems so dreadful for him to perish, and all through me. Oh! why did he save

me!"

Hush, my dear;" said Lady Ravensden, soothingly, "we can return immediately, if

you wish it-if it is any consolation to you, and I confess I am very anxious about the brave fellow myself, and would wish to be near him. I do not think he has a mother, and perhaps, old woman, as I am, I may be some comfort to him."

How I blessed her for that thought!

"But you, my dear girl," she continued, "are not equal to removing to London, yet, and if you excite yourself in this way, I will not answer for the consequences."

"A short drive like that? it will do me good," I cried, "but I shall work myself up into a fever, here."

Very well, then," was her ladyship's reply. "We will return home this morning."

We did so, but previously to leaving, I was obliged to present myself in the drawing-room, to say "adieu" to the family of my hostess, and it was an ordeal I would thankfully have been spared.

There were several daughters, and a good many visitors in the room, who had all been witnesses of my accident and its result, and my entrance consequently was not unregarded.

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