the world and all its gaieties, that world he so ardently desired to see, was about to open before him, all its brightest scenes, and all its fairest enjoyments, yet the idea of parting from his native land gave him a sensation of loneliness, a deep gloom hung upon his young brow, and a sigh-stole from his lip.

There was one however that accompanied him, who, though alike in age, stature, and feature, yet differed far in mind. No tear was in his cousin Mor ton's eye; no sigh broke from his bosom, as he saw the shores of his native land recede; all was indifferent to him, and with a calm fixed look he regarded the high blue mountains, as growing fainter and fainter they gradually disappeared in the dim obscurity of distance; then turning with a smile to Edwin, he scoffed at the drops which hung upon his cheek. Was it that his heart was bad? or was it cold? or was it that when away from the halls of his ancestors, he felt himself more upon equality

equality with his cousin, the heir of those lordly domains which his bosom beat to possess?

Their voyage was prosperous, and their safe arrival was hailed by those of their kindred that. fate had conducted to dwell in a foreign land, and to whom the inexperience of their boyhood was consigned. Time slipped gradually away, and each rapidly advanced in those studies which they attempted. But it was observed that every where Edwin was loved, where his cousin was only endured. None knew why, for none could point out that particular trait in his character which rendered his manners repulsive, and his society disagreeable, though all felt it when chance or necessity threw them in his company.

Thus passed the time for four years, till they had both reached the age of sixteen, when again setting forward on their way, they proceeded to visit other courts and countries ere they returned to their

own:

own they wandered through many a far off land, and many an adventure attended their footsteps. Day passed on day, and year stepped away on year, till at length the glad period of their return was looked forward to with immediate expectation, when tidings from Edwin brought them word of his cousin's death, and his own near approach.

Few sorrowed for the decease of one that none had loved; and the death of Morton was told, had its day of wonder, and was forgotten; while the coming of Edwin was looked forward to with the sparkling eye of gladness, and the eager glance of delighted expectation. Pleasure shone in every countenance; Gaiety laughed in every voice; Hope and Joy looked afar for his appearance; and Revel and Merriment prepared to hail his arrival.

CHAP

CHAPTER 11.

She was fair as the untrodden mountain snow, and graceful as the flower of the early spring; gay as the lark upon the summer air, and lovely as the rising of the infant morning; and as she wandered down the valley so bright and so harmonious, she seemed the child of music and of sunshine.

Far in the ultimate windings of the vale, a deep wood overhangs in shady darkness the steep of the mountain; while on the other side, the rocks, bold and precipitous, rise abrupt in majestic nakedness, forming a narrow gloomy chasm, which winds along for some way, scarcely enlightened by the beams of day, till at length opening upon the lake beyond, a scene of unrivalled beauty and magnificence bursts at once upon the sight. Broad waters, fertile islands, ample sunshine, diversified with a thousand hues

and

and shapes, greet the eye, and satisfy the soul.

It was through the gloom of the chasm which leads thither that the young and lovely Flora took her way; but it was not to view the wild scene through which she passed, nor to enjoy the fair prospect beyond, that she wandered in solitude so far from her home. There is a cave hewn in the solid rock, deep into the very bowels of the mountain: the hand of man never could have achieved that monstrous work, and yet the chisel's mark is visibly to be traced throughout all its vast extent; columns, altars, niches, are spread on all sides, while the feeble torch that lights the traveller but dimly shews the wonders of its immense dimensions. It is said that the compelled demon, bound by the mystic virtues of an anchorite, there laboured for an hundred weeks to form a dwelling for the holy man. I know not: the tale is strange; but there, however, Flora paused, before the yawning jaws of the VOL. III.

C

cavern.