Cruel As The Grave

lous, though she

likes the world

had already dressed the child and taken him from the

came

e Crow?" inquir

me leddy, on the laird's

airds in America, Janet!"

gentleman's

ow come help

d on the previous evening; for she wore an elegant morning robe of white cashmere, embroidered down the front and around the bodice, sleeves,

a door on the left-hand side, admitting the lady to a delightful front room, whose fr

variegated foliage of the trees, upon the mountain sides and the river's banks, where the glowing crimson of the oak and the flaming orange of the elm mingled with the royal purple

you this? I should rather call it 'Bright Valley.' Oh, what a glorious day and oh, what a glorious scene! Good-morning, Mrs. Berners. Good-morning, Mr. Berners. Little Crow, thi

and as they had waited only for her presence to have br

lumber-room and dusted, and brought in for the use of the baby-boy; who, in h

orious vale the 'Black Valley'?" inquired R

night, was it not?" asked

han elsewhere, so I don't see the justice of calling this the

yrotechnics' do as well?" inqui

his morning, with this glorious sunshine and these glowing, sparkli

noon-day. At all other seasons, and at all other hours, it is gloomy enough. In a very few hours from this, when

ompanions had addressed a word to her. She felt as if she were dropped out of their talk, and though bodily present, dropped out of their company as well. She felt

to, only her, his wife! Now his thoughts, smiles, conversation were all divided with another!-Oh no! O

up with each other, and entirely oblivious of her! And at this thought a sensation of sickness and faintness came over her, and she saved herself from falling, only by a great effort of self-command. They,

perhaps there was nothing at all. Her heart pang may have

ct which warned her that her adored husband, he to whom her whole heart, soul, and spirit were entirely given, he for whom only she "lived and moved and had her being," he was becoming f

Berners suspected that his attentions to their fair guest gave such deep pain to his high-spirited wife, he would at least have modified them to retain her confidence. But he suspected nothing. Sybil revealed no

eived that her companions had finished breakfast, and so she ar

m does-from the front windows I mean; but from the end windows you get a view up the valley, and may catch glimpses of the Black Torrent as it

r, threw herself upon her bed and gave way to a storm of sobs and tears. While she was still weeping vehemently, there

re, and wha

want to come in," answere

imed Sybil in bitterness of spirit; and yet bitterness that was mingled with a strange, deep sweetness too! for she loved to feel that she did belong to Lyon Be

ng to let me in?" inquired Mr. Berne

hastily wiping her eyes and trying to effa

opened

th some light, gay word; but at the sight of his wife's pale an

ng! What on earth is the m

e, Sybil turned aside, sank upon the corner of the sofa, dropped he

and drew her head upon his bosom,

has happened to distress you so deeply? Have you heard any b

she was, she felt no anger towards him then. She

ou heard, dear Sybil?

h as that for anything on earth, or anybody except you!" she answered, lifting her

? What cause can you have for weeping?" he inquired,

nd smiled through her

on! I know that I have not. But I am nervous and hysterical, I believe," she added; for, as before, his tender caresses dispelled her jealousy and restored her trus

cal woman-like the rest! It is no wonder men, who see the weakness of ou

epeating the slander, though even in jest, as I see you are. You are not weak, my Sybil.

ed of myself for being so," she answered, very sincerely, for she was really tho

vely, not to say so incredulo

s irritability, dear Lyon. Do not

physical, real or imaginary, I must trouble myself about

that are past and gone. And now to a pleasant

ready to give you any assistance in my pow

to get the cards printed w

ed filling up wit

ion of one lit

nd what

as

ed Mr. Berner

ated Mrs. Berne

bil, what on ear

fancy-dress ball. That will be something

ld-fashioned neighbors," said Mr. Bern

y need startling, and I

ard Sybil. But when do you pr

l-Hall

eldritch night for such a piece of diablerie

f you do I will willingly modify it according to your judgment; or even, if

t I do neither. I dare say I shall enjoy the masquerade as much as any one; and that it will be very popular an

on; but mind, you mu

" said Mr. Berne

because, you see, it is such a perfectly original character that

reathe its name

aracter I sh

ha

ir

ir

ir

ers of the Burning Heart. But how on earth will you con

ll you, and then you would not

all your company in a fla

t my writing-table there, and fill out and direct the invitations, you will find

hem?" inquired Mr. Berners, as

rst. If the cards are sent to-day, our friends will have just three weeks to get read

Mr. Berners, as he referred to the visiti

to arrange her somewhat disordered hair. Wh

ou leave Mrs

he left me. She excused herself,

ined with the beauty until the beauty had left him. She tortured herself with the thought that, i

t, being now in her own room, where her hostess heartily wished she might spend the greater portion of the day, Sybil felt free from the pressing duties of hospitality, at least for the time being; and so she drew a chair to the corner of the same table occupied

londelle was as fascinating and Lyon Berners as much fascinated

nations, what eternal mis

of the impassioned songs from the Italian operas; and Lyon Berners, a very great enthusiast in music, hung over the siren, doubly entranced by her beauty and her voice. Sybil, too, stood with the little group at the

simplest ballads in the language. She had often regretted her want of power to please the fastidious musical taste of her husband; but never so bitterly as now, when she saw that pow

music, Rosa Blondelle would lift her eloquent blue eyes t

cheeks, compressed lips, and glittering eyes-mute,

ou should come between the lioness and her y

ak; so confiding, yet so suspicious; so magnanimous, yet so vindictive; once again, I say, successfully exerted her wonderful powers of self-co

ber, her fortitude nearly forsook her, especially as he him

ce of hers! My dear Sybil, you never did a better deed than in asking this lovely lady

stic privacy!" Sybil thought to herself; but she gave no expression to this thought. On th

e you married me, and had found her also

is eyes in astonishment to the face of Sybil. But he could see nothing there. Her fac

ied me, and found her free, why should you n

ear Sybil, I loved you, you only, long before I ever m

you had ever seen me, you wou

my honor

admire he

s beautiful in nature and art,

a Blondelle would not make you a more sui

er, he took both her hands in his own, and look

to me dearer, sweeter, more sacred even, than those of most other married couples! No, my own Sybil! Soul of my soul! there is no woman that I ever did, or ever could prefer to you!" And

I feel how imperfect, how unworthy of you, I am, that I ev