their expression! I never saw eyes him she views the companion of her future through which the warm heart beamed so life, the arbiter, so to speak, of her destilovingly; and, as if to add to their melting ny, eternal as well as temporal, to whom softness, the eye-lids, with their long dark she will henceforth look up for guidance fringes, came gently drooping over the full and protection. His happiness, which her orbs, shading and imparting to them a pe-affection renders dearer to her than her culiar fascination. Dear Mabel! who that own, is about to be committed into her has felt the thrilling glance of those earnest keeping, and a trembling anxiety mingles affectionate eyes can ever forget it? with her joy in accepting the precious It may well be supposed that Mabel had trust. What interest, what importance is many admirers. There was something ir-attached to all his little likes and dislikes; resistibly winning in her manners; arch, to habits, and fancies, and peculiarities, and playful, and full of lively repartee, with a that in another would be utterly disregardvein, at times, of deep feeling and tenderness. ed! How eagerly the fond heart treasures But, though often wooed, it was long ere up and observes all these as a means of she was won. Those sensitive and fastidi- conferring pleasure or avoiding pain or ous natures, capable of a love too exalted irritation; for, after all, it is upon such triand fervent, too holy and abiding, to be fles that every-day happiness depends, and lightly bestowed, are not prone to yield to here that woman's tact and affection can passing impressions. Love with them is best show themselves. So bright is the not that hackneyed thing that dwells on halo that surrounds every thing connected every careless lip; talked of jestingly, with those we love, so unspeakable the intransferred easily-the mere flutterings of terest which all belonging to them has in gratified vanity; but a divine passion, sol- our eyes, that this endearing study increasemn, spiritual, all-absorbing, pervading es affection a thousand-fold. She who, every thought, and throbbing in every pulse; coloring life itself with a bliss so exalted and refined, as to proclaim at once its divine essence and heavenly source; exerting over the heart it fills the beneficent influence that the sun in the firmament has on our earth, by calling into being all that is generous and unselfish, noble and pure! "A cuore di difficile accesso, se alfin pur v' entra amore quanto rovina!" The hour It may be imagined how rude was the came when Mabel owned the "soft im-shock that awakened her from this dream peachment;" and she gave her heart frankly and warmly-for she was superior to the arts of coquetry-to him who had gained and was worthy to possess it.

while dwelling on them, imagines she is only becoming acquainted with the tastes and predilections of her future husband is, unconsciously perhaps, weaving still more closely round her, and strengthening the tender ties that bind him to her.

So it was with Mabel; and thus she went on "growing fonder and fonder" as month after month passed away.

of happiness, and the anguish of her affectionate heart, at finding that there had arisen obstacles to the union with Walter, which caused her friends to withdraw their consent, and to forbid all communication between them.

The attachment of Walter and Mabel was sanctioned by their friends, and their union looked forward to with joy by the Fortunately for Mabel she knew where families of both. A year passed away into turn for consolation. She felt that every the delightful interchange of mutual affec-occurrence in her life was by the appointtion. Those who understood the disposi- ment of Him to whom she daily committed tion of Mabel could well realize the depth and intensity of a feeling thus for the first time awakened. Amid many suitors she had at last met the object on whom the treasures of a love as warm as it was constant were to be lavished. To one of her peculiarly affectionate nature, great was the happiness of loving and being loved; and, blest with the approval of her parents, she gave herself up to its full enjoyment.

her way, and this trial could not have befallen her without his divine will. Religion, that gilds and brightens every joy, is not really felt in all its value until the dark night of affliction overshadows the soul. Separated from the beloved one who had for so long a time shared her every thought, she was not quite alone while able to pour out her sorrows before the Being to whom all hearts are open, and from whom no secrets, There is perhaps no position so endear-however shrouded from human eye, are hid. ing in a woman's eyes as that which her Another unspeakable source of comfort to betrothed holds with respect to her. In poor Mabel was the devoted and passionate

attachment of Walter. Every obstacle to their union seemed only to call forth, in renewed vigor, the energies of his ardent nature. Though all direct intercourse between them was interrupted, she was still in correspondence with some of the members of his family, and through them, as well as in other ways-for love is ever fertile in devices-he conveyed to her continued assurances of his unchangeable affection.

looked forward to getting a letter from some quarter or other which might perchance contain tidings of Walter; and sometimes there came a newspaper directed by his hand, the sight of which made her heart throb and her eyes glisten, and on which, as on a treasure, she would feast for weeks. The hand-writing of an absent friend is so very precious! One morning the letters were later than usual, and expected, too, with more than usual anxiety; for many weeks had elapsed, and nothing had been heard of Walter; no paper had been received, and day after day heart-sinking disappointment succeeded to the moments of keen suspense, which grew more and more breathless at the approach of posthour.

But notwithstanding these, and her submission to the divine will, the cruel blow to her hopes and affections began to take effect upon Mabel. Her health gradually gave way. Her friends, who were little aware of the depth of her feelings, imagined that change of air and scene would restore her. They were anxious to remove Who is there that has not, at one time or her from a neighborhood where occasional other, experienced this sudden fall in the meetings with the connexions of her lover thermometer of the feelings? when the fekept up, as they fancied, his remembrance. verish flush of anxiety and hope sinks Various excursions, therefore, were planned down into the blank wretchedness of disfor Mabel; she was hurried from one scene appointment; when we feel so utterly deof excitement to another, but her cheek pressed, dispirited, and good-for-nothing; was still pale, and her dark eyes languid. all our energies gone-hope itself dead! The same object was present to her This was the 6th of January; a fair thoughts wherever she went; surrounded morning, with no symptoms of the coming by gay and unsympathizing companions, memorable storm. We were all equipped understood by none, her heart sank beneath for a drive, Mabel, my sister, and myself, the dreary sickness of deferred hope, and and only awaited the arrival of the letters brooded inwardly over its sorrows. to set out. At length they came. With a Things had been in this state for up- cry of joy our friend sprang forward to rewards of two years, when, in the winter of ceive one in which, even at a distance, the 1839, our friend became a guest under our quick eye of affection had instantly recogroof. Here she found the balm of sympa- nized the way of folding, the seal, the handthy; and the "besoin de s'épancher," that writing of Walter. There was also a letter weighs like a night-mare on the soul, no for me, and its contents occupied me for longer oppressed her with its burden. We some minutes, so that I did not notice my had never met the object of her affection, companion. When at last I looked up, and listened with interest to her descrip- what a sight smote my eyes! I will not tions of him. How her cheeks glowed, attempt to describe it; for no words can and her eyes were lit up with emotion, convey an idea of the intense agony I beheld. when overcoming that reserve which a wo- Her delicate frame shook with agitation, man always feels in naming her beloved, while her face had that glazed and ghastly even to those most intimate, Mabel spoke appearance that is produced by strong bodof his generous qualities, his frank, ardent ily pain. The veins in her forehead were disposition; his refined taste and cultivated swollen-every feature quivered; her large mind, the union of "les petits soins" with eyes were dilated and full of-oh! such unmanly pursuits, which is so endearing in autterable anguish! May I never look on maiden's eyes; his graceful figure and the like again! handsome intelligent countenance ! And how the glowing cheek grew pale again, the lip quivered, the soft eye filled with tears, as with faltering voice she went on to speak of his devotion to her-of their long and hopeless attachment.

The arrival of the post was always a most anxious moment to Mabel. She

1 flew to her side: her white lips moved, and she motioned me away with one hand

the other was convulsively clutching the letter and pressing it to her panting bo som. She was, indeed, not in a state to hear words even of the tenderest sympathy. I drew back to an adjoining sofa, and sat gazing at her with dismay. My sister,

who had left the room before the arrival of the letters, returned at that moment and was struck dumb at seeing the condition of our friend.

When poor Mabel was able to speak she faltered out an earnest wish to be alone, and implored us to leave her, and to proceed on our drive. It would have been illjudged kindness to oppose her request at such a moment. In a few minutes she was in her own room, prostrate before that throne where the best help is to be found in every time of need; and we, with sorrowful hearts, that yearned to be near her, took our departure.

On our return she came to greet us, composed, with a struggling smile, and an attempt at cheerfulness that was very touching She looked like a “rain-beaten violet "so meek, so tender and subdued, and with such tearful eyes. It was plain to see that the conflict had been severe; but she had conquered, and the abundant tears she shed had relieved her full heart. No allusion was made to the letter; and in the evening when all were assembled for dinner, the gathering storm and prognostications of the awful night that was coming, engrossed every one's attention, so that poor Mabel's wan looks and dejected appearance escaped notice.

The "witching time o' night" has always been the choice hour for confidence. How many things are revealed over the midnight fire in that sanctum, "one's own room," that would never be told at any other time or place! What a pleasant and privileged half-hour it is! and how hard it is sometimes to have to say "Good night!" and break off such sweet and confidential communion!

I have already alluded to my visit to Mabel's room that night. The storm furnished us with an excuse for prolonging our conference, as the alarm was so great that no one in the house went to bed. But it was not the external elements that occupied us, as I said before, but the agitation of a mind rent with contending emotions. The anguish and distress of my companion were indescribable. She showed me the fatal letter. It was from Walter-renouncing her! All was now over, he said, between them; and he begged that, on her return home, she would collect his letters, and every token and souvenir of him in her possession, and return them all. He expressed his resolution to do the same on his part, and spoke with affected calmness

of forgetting all that was past, and forming new ties. With this were mingled despairing regrets, and altogether the letter was most strange and incoherent.

Deeply and earnestly we pondered it over. Mabel could take but one view of the matter. "I see it all," she said, with a fresh burst of woe-"he is weary of this long, hopeless, wretched suspense. He has found some one whom he can love and be happy with-I am forgotten!"

I could not agree with her. The language of the letter was not that of one who had grown cold or forgetful; it seemed to breathe any thing but indifference in its wild and unconnected expressions. But Mabel refused to be comforted; it was perhaps natural that, in her weak state of health, and after all she had suffered, she should incline to the dark side of the picture. She had no means of clearing up the mys tery; for all correspondence with Walter had been forbidden by her family, who imagined that she had long ceased to think of him; and her delicacy revolted at the idea of employing any circuitous means of discovering the cause of his changed feelings towards her.

I may as well mention here that which did not come to our friend's knowledge until she was lying on the brink of the grave, and which accounted for the fa'al letter. One of those reports, uttered in thoughtlessness and propagated by love of gossip, that so often wring the heart of some breathless listener, and cause anguish little dreamt of by the heedless retailer of newsone of those mischievous reports reached the ears of Walter. He heard that Mabel was going to be married. Love is susceptible and jealous; and a slight thing will excite either fear or hope when the feelings are deeply engaged. To all his inquiries in various quarters, Walter received replies which confirmed the rumor; and as the world never arranges these matters by halves, but settles and decides on the minutest particulars with marvellous precision and sagacity, Walter could not doubt the truth of what he heard. He knew that Mabel had been mixing much in society of late, and was well aware that, wherever she went, her attractions brought admirers round her. Stung with the idea that she had accepted the addresses of another, maddened at the prospect of losing her, he had despatched the letter; and his wretch-. edness in writing it was fully as great as that caused by the perusal. Oh! what

misery would a few words of explanation knew nothing of the "secret woe" that his have saved to two loving hearts, thus dear patient carried about with her; and robbed of their only solace, the belief in he was now shocked at the sad alteration each other's constancy. he saw.

Her last prop taken away, our poor friend sank rapidly. "Life's farce went on;" but, to finish the quotation,

-Within that breast 'twould scare the hold To see the springs at work when peace was flown; A harrowing spectacle, reserved for heaven alone!"

Active measures were resorted to; but the sufferer grew no better, and was soon confined entirely to her room. The effects of that worm, which for so long a time had been gnawing, unseen, at her happiness and peace, were not to be conquered; for, as Madame de Stael truly observes, "Une peine dont personne ne vous It was, indeed, a grievous sight!-to see parle, une peine qui n'éprouve pas le mointhe hollow, joyless smile, the effort to seem dre changement, ni par les jours, ni par les cheerful, the forced air of interest in every- années, et n'est susceptible d'aucun événeday things, the painfully-sustained conver-ment, d'aucune vicissitude, fait encore plus sation; and to know, that, beneath all this de mal que la diversité des impression domockery of happiness, there was a breaking loureuses. Il n'y a point d'oubli pour les heart! To hear her sing-that was a trial. personnes d'une imagination forte." Mabel's musical talents were celebrated; The grief of Mabel's family may be imher brilliancy and skill as an instrumental agined. Additional medical aid was called performer were great; and her exquisite in; but the result of the consultation only voice, so rich and melodious-the deep confirmed their worst apprehensions. At feeling she imparted to whatever she sang, friend and physician to communicate to length it became the painful duty of their joined to a highly cultivated taste-made her a vocalist of first-rate quality. It was them the awful tidings that there was no natural that her musical powers should be hope. Oh! what a sentence is that, when in great request; and as she accomplished heard by the pale and anxious group gathwith ease and pleasure what to others, less ered round the physician, and reading in gifted, would have been an exertion, she his concerned and solemn looks their doom, was always ready to gratify her friends. before it has passed his lips. Yes, though But now, when she was so miserable, to anticipated ever so tremblingly, though require of her a song!-melody in her uttered ever so feelingly, when it comes heaviness! Often did the words of Moore it is a fearful sound! How the breath stops, rise into my mind— and the ears tingle, and the heart grows sick and chill-"No hope!"

"Ah! little they think, who delight in her strains, How the heart of the minstrel is breaking!"

In the desolate household, thus filled with lamentation, the only one who maintained composure and calmness was the dying Mabel. When the world was brightest to her, her affections were never engrossed by it so as to exclude thoughts of eternity; and now she felt the approach of death without alarm. She expressed a wish to make some pecuniary arrangements, by which a portion that had been bequeathed to her should be secured to her sisters, and

One night I shall never forget it-she was asked to sing one of those beautiful Irish melodies, so full of tender pathos, in which she excelled She began, and gave in thrilling tones the first few bars. But it would not do; her spirits gave way; she could act her part no longer. The guitar fell from her hands, and she burst into an agony of tears. They were accounted for by her evidently broken health, the heat of a lawyer was sent for to make her will. the room, the touching words of the song. Who could suspect the sad truth?-who ever does suspect it in these, alas! too frequent cases?

A struggle like this could not last long; the suffering mind finds ready sympathy in its frail bodily companion. Symptoms so alarming set in, that it became necessary for Mabel to return to her home, and be placed under the care of the kind family physician, who had before recommended her leaving it for a change of scene. He

This was a trying day to the afflicted family. While she was engaged in dictating her last wishes, many a stifled sob and burst of bitter weeping were in the drawingrooms beneath her sick chamber-those rooms that had so often re-echoed with the full rich tones of her melodious voice. How solemn and sad a stillness pervades the house over which the angel of death has flung the dark shadow of his wing!

After the lawyer's visit, Mabel seemed to take no further interest in the things of

this world. Her debility increased, and she saw no one except her physician, and the clergyman who came daily to read and pray with her.

were spared she might still be his, with her parents' free consent and blessing.

Hope and joy, what blessed elixirs ye

are!

Where is the medicine in the whole

Among the many anxious inquirers who pharmacopoeia can boast the life-giving, excalled to learn the state of the invalid at hilirating virtues ye possess? The reviving this time, an unexpected visitor one morn- news that Walter loved her still, and that ing presented herself. It was the sister of the obstacles which separated them had Walter. She had come to town on busi- vanished, were to the fainting soul of Maness, and hearing of the danger of her bel like oil to the dying lamp. The expirfriend, flew to the house to gain fuller ing ray gleamed forth again, though the tidings. A slight estrangement had sub- spark was feeble and uncertain. For a sisted between the families since the break-long time the event was doubtful, and she ing off of the marriage, but now all was hung suspended between life and death; forgotten, and Walter's sister mingled her youth and hope struggling hard against tears with those of the sorrowing circle. They had a long and earnest conversation. Before its close, Mabel's family were informed of what I have already mentioned --Walter's belief in the reported marriage * of his beloved, his despair, and the letter he had addressed to her.

Suspicions of the real state of things began to enter the minds of the party; and on the next visit of the physician, whose feelings towards his patient were as much those of a father and friend as a medical adviser, all was communicated to him. A gleam of hope flashed across countenance of the kind doctor as he

listened.

the

"This is very important," he said; "where the mind is deeply engaged, the case differs widely from one of mere bodily disease. Had we known all this before; but now"-and again a grave and anxious expression overspread his face-"the symptoms have gone beyond our control. It is, I fear, too late. Indeed, I question whether in her reduced state it might be prudent even to name the subject to her."

bodily disease and exhausted nature; while parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and he who united in himself the anxious tenderness of all, stood looking on at the contest.

*

*

It was a bright day in bright September. The skies were clear and cloudless, and the

sun shone out, gilding with its pleasant beams a wedding train. The ceremony had just been performed within the walls of their friends, came forth the gallant bridea country church, and now, surrounded by groom, supporting the trembling steps of the palest, the most delicate, most fragile looking of brides. The lovely face of nature smiled in sympathy with the gladness of the group, among whom a deeper feeling of thankful joy seemed to prevail than is even usual on such happy occasions. It was the bridal day of Walter and Mabel!

When next I saw our dear friend, she was seated beside her husband, just a year after that bright September morning. He must have been but a poor physiognomist Mabel was truly in the most delicate who could not read a tale of surpassing condition. The lamp of life seemed flick- happiness and love in the countenances of both. Theirs was indeed a rare and happy ering in its socket, like the last fitful rays of an expiring taper-a breath would suffice lot-one that I believe falls to the share of to quench the light for ever. few in our conventional existence-that of It was an anxious task, even for sisterly affection, to marrying the object of the heart's affecbring before her at such a time, an agi- tion. I had not seen Mabel since she had tating topic; to name a name that, at the departed from our home, a poor stricken first breathing of it, vibrated through every sufferer in mind and body; and the sight fibre of her shattered frame, and shook of her now was deeply affecting. There it with an emotion that threatened fatal she sat, radiant with happiness, and with consequences. Cautiously, and with ten-but one drawback-the want of health: der care, as she was able to bear it, was for our wise Creator seldoms fills to the the subject renewed; and at length, by brim our cup of blessings, lest we should slow and gradual degrees, she was put in forget that we are only strangers and pilpossession of the whole enrapturing truth grins here below.

that her adored Walter had never wavered When I looked at her the quaint lines of in his devotion to her, and that if her life | Spenser rose to my mind :