26

Nothing."

new emotions were kindled in her heart as Nothing!" she repeated. Why do she fondled her little offspring to her breast. you speak so coldly to me?" Here her And whilst it lay sleeping in her arms, or utterance choaked, and her eyes filled rocked in its cradle-she watched by its with tears. 66 Nothing, do you say-then side, unwearied, unceasingly. Thus was why do you use me thus?" the stream of their existence flowing on, "Use you thus! how?" midst flowers and shade as it wereThis was enough-she said no more, when again the demon of jealousy was but sunk back in a swoon, exhausted-roused in the husband's bosom, fierce overcome by the unusual excitement her in denunciations-passionate,--inexorable! feelings had undergone. The paleness of From calm to storm-a sudden transition. death spread over her face instead of the To her it was inexplicable. What had caurose-like bloom that usually tinged her sed it? Something he had heard. What cheeks. Her eyes closed-and,-but for was it? Whatever it was, deep within his the heaving of her bosom as she respired, breast rankled-boiling-raging--and cauit scemed as if life was extinct. sing the frequent emission of anger and "What have I done!" cried Theodore, passionate bursts, which might be comaccusing himself at once with the blame. paratively spoken of as resembling the "What have I done? alas-Julia-love awful eruptions of Etna or Vensuvius in revive, or I shall go wild with affright and the fury of their volcanic fires. At first dread!" Loud were his cries for the they were indulged in only when and servants, who come around him fright- where they could not be audible to the ened from their beds, and, ascertaining ears of any-in secret-in solitude. the alarm, carried their mistress in. One His first extraordinary movement was of them hurried for a neighbouring physi- the winding up of his business. His peencian, and before morning. Mrs. West's niary circumstances were affluent, his accouchment took place, giving birth to profits in. commerce large, and it was ina daughter. deed to be wondered at that at such a time

And now, all her husband's former he should relinquish trade. But he did so tenderness was renewed--his momentary-sold his house in town, converted his jealousy forgotten. Nothing was fet un capital' into real estate, mortgages, éve, done by him, that could possibly attend to and expressed his determination of resid alleviate her sufferings. He was again ing entirely at his seat on the Sebuylkill. the fond-the feeling husband. Confi- where at present he was passing the sunrdence was restored between them. Un- mer.

CHAPTER II.

pleasant recollections were hushed, and The officious world is ever ready to the sum of happiness again shone out, as praise or condemn. Judging from a mobright as ever, upon the fortunes and mentary impulse, it unhesitatingly passes home of the happy pair. the opinion with which it is first impressed The day subsequent to this event, in--without consideration-without inquiformation was brought to the mansion ring the cause. When particulars are not that Byard was home again-returned at once revealed, it is sure to suppose the from Europe. worst-always; when at the same time causes diametrically opposite may have Six weeks glided by. Mr.West returned transpired to produce the effects. So was to his business in the city, and was re-it on this occasion. His friends, acquaingularly at home in the evening-as soon tances and relatives, all objected to the as possible always. All his joys were course he was pursuing. They were cercentered in Julia-she was to him like tain he would repent it, they said. Rethe star that guided the wise men of the tirement had its charms they acknowledg east--she influenced all his exertions, and ed--but for those advanced in years, not not an hour in the day did he suffer to pass for the young, the gay-hearted. Thus without lus thoughts reverting to her and would they reason with him, but they felt the child. The incident of the flute, and not as he did-they felt not the convulsive that of the singing was thought of no more pangs and conflicting throes that agitated -neither was repeated. Maternal ten-his breast. It is casy to give advice-is derness occupied much of Julia's time, and it as easy to follow it?

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But his wife-for her falls the tear of pity amidst it not one kind word have I reas I write, whilst of her sorrows I think,and ceived from him!"

with a tremulous hand continue this page. Yes, frequently had she asked himHow changed was her husband-how al- entreated, implored and prayed to share tered from what he was! No longer he the sorrows of his heart. Around his. displayed the tenderness and warmth with neck she would throw her arms, imprint which he usually returned her caresses- upon his lips the kiss of eager love, and by but haughty and distant was his manner every tenderness persuade. But there's and unmeaningly fixed on her was the a time when forbearance ceases to be a hitherto expressive glance of his eye. For virtue; when to endure is to sin; and that a long time she endured it rather than up-crisis had now arrived in the sufferings of braid; but at last it sunk deep within her Julia; for her to suffer longer, was to do heart, there to canker. Heroically she wrong. She had done all in her power had stemmed the torrent of her feelings, all that she could do-and her resobut finally sunk under it-washed upon the lution was fixed to plead with him no beach of her expiring hopes--not drown- more. The smiles of her daughter, the ed-but mentally insensible. I do not infant Julia, were the only smiles she met. mean that her reason was affected, but She became an object of suspicion to the that indifference and neglect on his part domestics of the establishment even, with had blunted it. A drowned person may the one exception of old Margaret, be taken from the water, and the vital the housekeeper. For when in her presspark is to all appearance extinct, but by cnce, they silently surveyed her with the application of resuscitatory powers, glances of doubt and diffidence, considercirculation of the blood is restored, and ing her a guilty woman. Her husband the inanimate being called back to the bu- became worse and worse daily. To his sy throng of active life. So was it with lips he raised the intoxicating cup, and her; her ardent love for Theodore, which drank of it; whilst in secret he no longer had so long supported her, was now in a vented his passions, but at any moment state of torpor, but ready at any moment and before any eye. What a change!to awake again, with all its former ener- what a source of regret !-how different gy, if called to life by him. from the happy pair we have previously In order to shelter her reputation from described them! He a drunkard, and she the blight of .calumny, and to hurl back-broken hearted!

on her traducers the arrows directed It was now the month of October, against herself, Mrs. West had repeated- nearly three months having passed since ly demanded of Theodore the nature of the birth of her child. And here let me her offence; since offended she had. He in-resume the narrative.

variable shunned a positive answer, to "Manuel," said Mr. West, addressing some other subject he would revert, or one of his servants, one on whom he had else abruptly leave her to herself, in si- conferred innumerable favours, and whom lence and alone, weeping. "Oh, that my he honoured with his particular confiheart would break, and end its miserics at dence. "Manuel

46

Have you seen her?” "Yes, sir."

"Where is she!".

In her chamber, reading."

"And the child-where is it? with her

once!" she would exclaim. at moments "Sir," responded the other, entering like these, as, with clasped hands and eyes the room where his master was seated, upturned to heaven, she stood, pale and mo- and standing at his side. tionless like a statue-like Niobe in tears. "Why am I doomed to this ---this crue! neglect this cold indifference of his ?" she would repeat. "In what am I culpable! I have asked him to tell me- to explain his strange behaviour; timo after time have, but he has ever turned to me a deaf Tis asleep in its mother's arms." car, and treated my inquirics with silent There was a short pause. The servant contempt. I've borne it with pious resig-stood at his side, whilst the questioner nation; suffered, endured and wept, day leaned back upon his chair, shading his after day of wretchedness I've passed, and eyes with the palm of his hand, and a sleepless nights of misery: all-all--and long-drawn sigh escaped from his bosom.

or has the nurse charge of it?"

"You have seen nothing further, have any interest whatever in her fate. Ciryou?" cumstances had latterly introduced them to each other, and in the resolution she

"No sir-nothing." "Watch her, and bring me word im- had taken he greatly aided her, and was mediately if you perceive anything more." perhaps her adviser throughout. Many "I will." and painful were the struggles that agitated her maternal bosom at the thoughts of

"A glass of wine-quick." The servant obeyed, poured out the leaving her child-perchance to never see wine, handed it to his master, and at a it again! But leave it she must--she draught the glass was drained of its con- could not with consistency take it with tents, then returned to the domestic, who her.

restored it to its place on the sideboard. As she finished packing, the clock on "Now leave me; I wish to be alone-the mantle-piece struck six, and the twialone with my thoughts-alone with my light of evening began to close around her. misery!" he said. She pulled a bell, and desired the servant

As he spoke he sunk back into a reve- who answer it to furnish her with a light. A rie, with his eyes closed and his hand over lamp was brought, after which she fastened his face. Manuel left, closing the door the door of the apartment and sat down to after him as he departed from the room, compose a letter. Tear after tear, many and and went to the chamber of Mrs. West, fast, trickled down her colourless cheeks, where he found her-but not unexpected- as with a trembling hand she traced the ly-engaged in packing into a small trunk anguish of a bursting heart! She finishseveral articles of wear. He entered the ed it, scarcely able to sign her name at apartments so stealthily that his presence the bottom, and superscribed it to her husstartled her, and she uttered his name band.

with surprise!

It was now ten o'clock-another hour, "Hush-not so loud-" whispered and then farewell to her home! She Manuel, "or else we may be overheard. went out upon the balcony, and taking a You'll be ready at the time appointed, seat upon the place where so often she will you?" had sat with her husband, whiled away "Yes-you're sure the boat will be the intervening hour with a retrospect of waiting at the spot?" the past-the days of her childhoodcourtship-the death of her mother

As

"It will." "And the carriage on the other side of marriage-the birth of her babe-and the river ?" then her present pitiable condition. "Yes; at eleven o'clock, I'll be under the moment of her departure approached, your window-come down immediately, her fears-or rather her regrets of the and I'll conduct you to the boat." idea of leaving her child, augmented. "But the trunk-"

"Tis a small one, and if you drop from the window I can easily catch Remember at cleven!"

"I'll not forget."

"But he will take care of it-oh, yes! it It never offended him if I have, and against it. his own he surely cannot harden his heart!" The clock strikes-eleven-and a slight cough is heard beneath her window. "Is it you Manuel ?"

Left to herself, Mrs. West continued packing into the trunk the articles neces- "Yes-drop the trunk-and as you sary for her purpose. Her resolution was come through the hall be careful not let fixed-she had resolved to leave her hus- any of the doors slam. Mr. West is up band. The miseries of her present situa- and pacing his chamber-I heard him." tion were more than she could bear and The trunk was dropped and caught by it was now the only remedy lett. She Manuel. Julia shut down the window, was young-life is sweet-and the course put a hat and cloak on, hastened through she was about adopting seemed more as a the entry, down the stairs, through the duty enjoyed upon her by the will of Hea-hall, and as she issued from the door was ven than any inclination of her own. promptly met by Manuel with the trunk With the single exception of old Marga- upon his sholders. He begged her to make ret, Manuel, the servant, was the only one haste for fear of accident or discovery. in the establishment that seemed to take She took his arm, and they hurried down

to the river, where the boat lay moored with men his love; but the interestedness of his a man ready at the oars. She entered, bade heart made him hold out against the vanity adieu to Manuel, and charged him to write of success with them. Those of the fair whenever she sent a letter herself. He pro-sex, who aimed at no more than pleasing mised to do so, shoved off the boat, and him, were disheartened by his indifference. turned his steps towards the mansion again, Those who carried their sentiments towards whilst the stroke of the oårs reached his ears him the length of love, were rather animat-and he laughed within himself at his owned by the difficulties of conquering it, and continued their designs upon him..

success.

The night was so dark that Julia could Amongst these last. were the Countess de not distinguish the face of the rower; and Raisel, and Mademoiselle de Bugey.. as not a word was spoken by him she deem- The first, a widow of twenty-six years ed it advisable to keep silence herself,--ex-of age, had, a tall majestic stature, and her pecting every moment to be landed on the eyes sparkling with fire and vivacity. Add opposite share,there to enter a carriage to this picture, by way of preparing you which she supposed was in readiness for for the catastrophe, a tincture of that conher. Ten minutes at least had passed, and stitutional melancholy which supposes inti-. still the rower continued his exertions. She mate sensations, and those deep sentiments knew the comparative width of the river that penetrate into the soul instead of goit certainly could not take so long merely to ing off by evaporation.

cross it-and she was upon the point of The other was sixteen: figure. to yourmaking her alarm known, when the boat self all the freshness and bloom in the powcame abruptly against the side of a schooner er of youth to give, a lively piercing wit, riding at anchor in the stream. Immediately with that inexpressible charm that resides the steps were thrown over the vessel's side, in innocence and native ingentiousness. and Julia was desired to ascend. In amaze- Those two rivals were friends, and lived ment she did so, and before aware of what in the same circle of acquaintance. The she was doing found herself upon deck. Countess kept her own secret out of discre"For Heaven's sake, what does this tion. Adelaid de Bugey did not know that mean?" she exclaimed, finding words and she had one to reveal. Monsieur de Crescoming to a sense of her situation. A dark sey learned it her; and availing himself of night on board of a strange vessel-and the advantage which experience and artiaround me I know not whom??? fice gave him over her, little by little warm"There are none but friends here," said ed her heart, and by, insensible gradations a voice. "This way," when at the same brought her to that dangerous confession, moment the cabin door was opened and she of which lovers commonly contest the truth, was asked to enter. Passively she complied till from proof to proof they draw on those and descended the steps a lamp hung in they love to give them one, after which the middle of the cabin, and by the light it the doubt indeed dissipates, but the desire afforded she recognized the features of her takes its flight, and is heard of no more. cousin Edward Byard? To this proof the Marquis had well nigh "My cousin!" she exclaimed. brought the fair Bugey, after a confession "Ay-your cousin that loves you, Julia that to him seemed an authority to demand loves you!"

"Betrayed betrayed!"

To be Continued.)

it.

The Countess had ardently wished that the Marquis would pay his court to her; but the fear of letting marks of her inclinaTHE MARQUIS OF CRESSY. tion escape her, gave her an air of reserve A number of accomplishments, an engag-and embarrassment, which was mistaken ing air, a heart full of falsity, the art of for a want of sensibility, or a natural coldhiding his vices, and of knowing the weak-ness. Alway charming wherever the Marness of others; do not forget a most pleas- quis was not in company in his presence ing figure: put all these together, and they she lost that vivacity that renders one amiagive you a just picture of the Marquis ble, and gives a grace to every thing that de Cressy, the hero of this history. ne does. The agitation of her heart susThe men sought his friendship, the wo-Pended the agreeable effects of her wit. VOL. III

will

I -2.