she felt that those eyes were reading her soul as they full oft had done; the electric fluid which only living eyes can communicate was perceptibly radiated: the very lips seemed wreathing into a meaning smile, and the lines of the forehead working as she had seen them in his thoughtful moods. She would have given worlds to have withdrawn her gaze; but the illusion was too complete. She kneeled down from very feebleness and awe, and folding her arms fervently upon her bosom, as if to still its audible throbbings, she gazed on like a fascinated bird. Cold dew distilled upon her brow; the fever of her blood dried it away, and now its surface was calm, and unmoistened, like newly-chiseled marble. "Her emotions, individually intense as they were, in their now concentrated energy, were momentarily growing more unendurable. She leaned forward in an agony of expectation. The aspect of the portrait remained unchanged, but from the lips stole out, in the tones which had won her heart, the single word -' Berenice!' It struck her ear like the knell of a catastrophe. She uttered one despairing cry, and sunk upon the floor. the floor. That ejaculation was borne on her last breath. "When my efforts had been unavailingly exhausted in efforts to resuscitate the unfortunate lady for being the nearest physician, I was first called-my attention was turned toward the wretched originator of the tragedy. Werner lay crouched upon the carpet, gazing with an expression in which insanity and despair were strangely blended, upon the form of Berenice. Reason was now, indeed, overthrown. Perceiving himself noticed, he crawled to my feet, and looking piteously up, murmured in a convulsive tone -'I didn't do it.' His constant repetition of this phrase, year after year, has obtained for him the title of THE DISCLAIMER. Remorse peoples his imagination with her awful images. And he will doubtless be a wanderer, feared by the rabble and pitied by few, till accident or disease lays low his powerful frame, and enfranchises from the thrall of insanity his extraordinary and aspiring spirit." SECRET COURTSHIP. BERANGER. A blind mother sits in a cottage, beside her pretty daughter, and cautions her against love, while, all the time, an amatory scene is going on between the girl and the very lover whom the old dame dreads. DAUGHTER, while you turn your wheel, Our young neighbors' name is heard. Ah! Lisette, you are not spinning! The room is close and warm, you say; But, my daughter do not peep Through the casement night and day Colin there his watch doth keep. I, like you, was fair and young, And I know how apt is love To lead the youthful heart to sinning- It is a gust of wind you say, That hath made the hinges grate; And your love to an abyss "T was your little bird you say, Gave that tender kiss, just now; You wish to take the air you say; Think you, daughter, I believe you? Bid young Colin go his way, Or at once, as bride receive you! |