matter with you? you never used to act so childish before. Come, if neither you nor Rhoda will accompany me, you will oblige me to go alone."

Hannah now involuntarily dropped upon her knees before the countess, while she almost screamed out— "Alone madam! Oh! for the love of mercy do not think of going there alone." She then turned to Miss Gurney,-" Pray dear good Miss Gurney, do not suffer my lady to venture there alone."

Miss Gurney now began to entertain some very serious apprehensions that, there was something more attached to these apartments than Hannah chose to disclose, and once more attempted to persuade the countess to relinquish visiting the apartment that night; but with a look of determined resolution she declared, she resolved to proceed to the spot which contained her favorite portrait, and commanded Hannah to take the candle and lead the way.

"Well then madam," said Hannah, "since you are determined to go, pray take hold of my arm, and let Miss Gurney walk by the side of you."

"You are really Hannah growing quite absurd," said the countess," for what purpose should I do all this: however, to please you, come Rhoda, let me take your arm."

In this manner they proceeded to the little chamber which contained the portrait without meeting the smallest interruption; and the countess laughing the whole time at the shaking limbs and fear-struck countenance of poor old Hannah. They now approached the door where hung the beauteous resemblance, and the countess exclaimed in tones of extacy

"There Rhoda, did you ever behold any thing

half so beautiful? how pure, how innocent she looks; it would be next to an impossibility almost to suppose that lovely being, were she in existence, capable of deception."

Miss Gurney was just about to reply to this observation, when a sigh deeper, and if possible more piercing than that heard in the pine grove, arrested their attention, and transfixed like statutes they continued to gaze on each other without being able to articulate a single word.

Miss Gurney, however, was the first who attempted to break the silence, as taking the hand of the now terrified countess, she perceived her to be near fainting ; yet strange to say, that though Hannah beheld the situation of her beloved mistress, and was visibly affected by it, yet she uttered not a word.

"For Heaven's sake let us instantly quit this place," said Miss Gurney. Hannah now assisted to lead the countess out; and Miss Gurney, putting her arm round her waist, almost carried her through the apartment which they had before passed; but they had no sooner placed her in a chair, than she burst into an agony of tears, exclaiming

"Oh! merciful Heaven, what can this mean? and for what am I yet preserved ?"

"Why should you, my beloved friend," cried Miss Gurney, "suppose it is attached to yourself? may it not equally belong to❞—

"Lord Glenroy!" answered the countess; and does it not, therefore, equally belong to me? am I not his wife and for some unknown cause strangely connected with this dreadful mystery, am I not justified now Rhoda, in my suspicions?"

Miss Gurney durst not venture to express her sen timents on a subject so strangely mysterious, and remained silent. The countess then turned to Hannah, and perceived that she was much embarrassed.

"You too my poor Hannah seem strangely agitated,' uttered she, "I command you to tell me, as you value my repose, what you know appertaining to that dreadful apartment; for that you are informed of some part of the mystery I am convinced from the conduct you have shewn to night."

Hannah replied not but with her tears.

"Have you ever witnessed any thing before like what we heard to night Hannah," repeated the countess.

"Yes madam, once before," cried Hannah," and now I beseech you my dear lady, if your poor old faithful Hannah was ever dear to you, ask me no more questions concerning this matter; if you regard my life, dear lady, be for ever silent on the subject; for if you mention it to my lord, you are lost for ever, and I shall be a dead woman," cried Hannah still looking fearfully around her.

My dearest friend," cried Miss Gurney, "I implore you to abide by what Hannah says; you cannot doubt of her zeal towards you; strong are her motives be assured for concealing what may have happened to come within her knowledge of this mysterious affair. Seek therefore to inquire no further; your innocence will shield you from the storm, let the blast blow ever so keen-trust to that, and time will elucidate all other things."

The countess bowed in silence; she promised to obey Miss Gurney's injunctions, and turned her beauteous eyes in meek submission to heaven. But she