Heart

r excellent calumniated couple; but, seeing that there were always two sieves waiting ready to sift it before it came to Lady Dillaway's turn-to wit, John

lt, the poor mother sickened fast upon her couch: she had for years always been an invalid, wan and wo-begone, living upon ether, gum, and chicken-broth; but her white skin now grew whiter, her faint voice fainter, the energies of life in her debilitated frame weaker than ever; it was no mere hypochondria, or other fanciful malady: her calm heart seemed to be dying down within her, as a plant that has earth-grubs gnaw

on both those loving parts, had been regularly and ruthlessly intercepted, opened, mocked, and burnt! How could the man have stood case-proof against those letters-his moth

spected), by way of giving Maria a present on her approaching wedding, as it would seem, had cleverly imitated her father's hand-writing, and-that letter was a forgery! to every body's great amazement. Nobody could, according to his own account, be kinder than John, who had done more than mortal things to appease his father; but the old man remai

of honour or duty? And shall they not be righted at the last? It may be so-it shall be so: but Holy Providence hath purposes of good in plunging those twin wedded hearts deep beneath the billows of earthly destitution. The wicked must

availed to cheer the sad Maria, but made every rock a point of interest, and showed every little flower a miracle of wisdom. There were hundreds of extemporaneous "lover's seats," where they had "rested, to be thankful" for the past, joyful for the present, and hopeful for the future; and every ramble that they took might deservedly take the name, style, and title of a "lover's walk!" Happy times-happy times! but still there might be happier; yes, and happiest, too, they seemed to whisper, if ever they should have a merry littl

not know what to think, nor how to act. Letters left at the door, couched in whatever terms of humility, kindliness, and just excuse, were equally unavailing; for the Cerberus there was too well sopped by pleasant brother John ever to deliver them to any one but him. It was entirely hopeless-extraordinary-a most wretched state of things. What were they to do? The only practicable mode of getting at Sir Thomas, and

sual or intended. Accordingly, one day when the Clements and the Dillaways mutually spied each other afar off, and a junction seemed inevitable, John's promptitude bade his fat

ll hear no reason, nor any excuse whatever; h

as Henry done, that papa, and you, and de

to your father's wish and knowledge: and

and Henry too. This is cruel, most cruel:

adam; and I at least obey them. Henc

trouble quietly to address Henry Clements. "Misfortunes never come single, they say; it is no fault of mine if the proverb hits Mr. Henry Clements. I am sorry to ha

self: and the proposition came originally from you. I hope sur

is often out of reckoning. I have nothing now of yours in my

nd merciful! Are we, the

wn affairs better than I can.

alth. And this assertion will appear not in the least uncharitable, when the reader is in this place reminded that Henry Clements's own little property had never been Australized at all, but was still safe and snug in the coffers of crafty John. Jermyn stree

mfort, though, amidst all their misery;-they did not find the adage a true one, which alludes to poverty coming in at the door, and love flying out of the window;

e old man was not easy, nevertheless; often thought of poor Maria; and could not clearly make out who had forged the letter. Had it not been for that wicked brother John, a meeting-an explanation-a reconciliation-woul

did-the wretch! She gradually pined-waned-wasted; the candle of her life burnt down into the hollow socket-glimmering awhile-flared and reeled, and then-one night, quietly and suddenly-went out! She entered on the world of spirits, where all secrets show revealed; and there she read, almost before she died-whilst yet the black curtain of etern