We believe hers to have been one of those high natures, supremely safe in their own purity and virtue, and, therefore, ever ready to console the wretched, and to administer hope to the abased and sinning. With such natures their actions are their sermons, and they prove far better than words the gentleness and beauty of virtue. During their separation, her lover had wandered rapidly about from scene to scene, and from land to land, in the vain hope of finding that repose of feeling which he so much needed. His soul was full of but one image, and Petrarch-like, his only consolation was in Song. His high honour struggled successfully against his natural and constant impellings to break his vow. Neither, however, allowed for an instant a doubt of the constancy of the other to take root, and shake the full faith they rested in each other. CHAPTER II. Love reigneth in cot, in palace, and hall; Ending not e'en in death. Love! Love!! Thou art ruler of all! has past! He has, without HE year has past! intimation of his intent, arrived in the village, at a late hour of the first evening after the expiration of their fixed period of separation. His strong fears about her health have already been in a measure allayed by the villagers. "We very rarely see her now, bless her, and never without the old lady and gentleman be with her; but the last time I did see her she certainly was paler," said one old man, in answer to earnest inquiries. Then thronged upon his fancy doubts about those whose mercenary hearts had already once divided them; and thinking thus, he restlessly paced the beach of the quiet and peaceful bay. The bright Moon was up, and with her clear soft eyes looked gently down, as she rode calmly along the glittering face of night. Her influence was soothing to the worn heart of the wearied traveller, and quieted, in a measure, his fears and doubts. How delightful to one who is in trouble is the contemplation of a fresh moonlight night! The soft air of the lovely summer night came floating from off the breast of the still sea, and aided the influence of the Moon in cooling his feverish frame. As he strolled along the beach, the murmuring Ocean made soft music to his ear, as she gently kissed the shore and then slowly retired, with a reverie-inducing sound. All |