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ost comprehend wha

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Felisarda fr

ced me heir to

: The B

r mind to me; assuring yourself, that whatever may be your disclosure, you will have my sincere sympathy and commiseration. I may be better able to advise with you, should counsel be necessary, than others, from my knowledge of your character and temperament. I would not anticipate evil, and am, perhaps, unnecessarily apprehensive. But I own, I am startled at the incoherence of your expressions, coupled with your sudden

hance,-for I came, fully anticipating the dread event, which I find realized,-nor has it been occasioned by any intelligence derived from yourself, or ot

aimed Small, gazing with some misgiv

I have much to relate; but I pray you bear with me to the end

affectionately pressing Ranulph's hand, "and

excepting in their consequences-which influenced my conduct in my final interview between my father and myself-an interview which occasioned my departure for the

son, and daughter. This introduction was made in compliance with my own request. I had been struck by the singular beauty of the younger lady, whose countenance had a peculiar and inexpressible charm to me, from its marked resemblance to the portrait of the Lady Eleanor Rookwood, whose charms and unhappy fate

of a predestined event, originating in the strange fascination which the family portrait had wrought in my heart, than the operation of what is called 'love at first sight,' that I was insensible to the agitation of the mother. In v

tional powers as I possessed. I succeeded so well that the discourse soon became lively and animated; and what chiefly delighted me was, that she, for whose sake I had committed my present rudeness, became radiant with smiles. I had been all eagerness to seek for some explanation of the resemblance to which I have just alluded, and the fitting moment had, I conceived, arrived. I called attention to a peculiar expression in the features of Miss

wn quick and passionate conceptions. But no! I read in her calm, collected countenance-in the downcast glance, and sudden sadness of Eleanor, as well as in the changed an

Sir Reginald Rookwood-I have seen none of my family-have held no communication with them. My brothers have been strangers to me; the very name of Rookwood has been unheard, unknown; nor would you have been admitted here, had not accident occasioned it.' I ventured now to interrupt her, and to express a hope that she would suffer an acquaintance to be kept up, which had so fortunately commenced, and which

or yourself; for though adverse circumstances have hitherto conspired to separate us, the time for a renewal of our acquaintance is approaching, I trust, for

s more essentially our own. Her light and frolic manner was French, certainly; but her gentle, sincere heart was as surely Eng

u will pardon it. Ah, those bright brief days! too quickly were they fled! I could expatiate upon ea

r her; indeed, I could scarcely exist in absence from her side. Short, however, was destined to be my indulgence i

l, but I was urged to it by Mrs. Mowbray. Unaccustomed to disguise, I had expatiated upon the beauty of Eleanor, and in such terms, I fear, that I excited some

se to my wishes. Agonized, therefore, with a thousand apprehensions, I presented myself on the morning of my departure. It was then I made the declaration of my passion to Eleanor; it was then that every hope was confirmed, every apprehension realized. I received from her lips a confirmation of my fondest wishes; yet were those hopes blighted in the bud, when I heard, at the same time, that their consummation was dependent on the will of two others, whose assenting voices, she

. I will not pain you and myself with any recital of their disagreement. My mother had espoused my cause, chiefly, I fear, with the view of thwarting my poor father's inclinations. He was in a terrible mood, exasperated by the fiery stimulants he had swallowed,

ut his own determination that Eleanor never should be bride of mine; nor would he receive, under his roof, her mother, the discountenanced daughter of his father. I endeavored to remonstrate with him. He was deaf to my entreaties. My mother added sharp and

consent to cut off that entail. Let him dare to disobey me in this particular, and I will so divert the channel o

importunities, with no bet

s which influence me; they are inexplicable, but imperative. Eleanor Mowbray never can be yours. Forget her as

'do you object to one whom you have nev

degree. We never can meet again. An idle prophecy which I have heard has said "that when a Rookwood shall marry a Rookwood the end of the house draweth nigh." That I regard not. It may have no meaning, or it may have mu

was with the charitable precepts of our faith, to allow feelings of resentment to influence his conduct. My remonstrances, as in the preceding meeting, were ineffectual. The more I

set out; adding, in a melancholy tone-'We may never meet again, Ranulph, in this life; in that case, farewell forever. Indulge no vain hopes. Eleanor never can be yours, but upon one condition, and to that you would never consent!'-'Propose it!' I cried; 'there is no condition I could not accede to.'-'Rash boy!' he replied, 'you know not what you say; that pledge you would never fulfil, were I to propose it to you; but no-should I survive

with what had occurred, and your c

ether the family are still in London. It will be a question for our consideration, whether I am not justif

ed the growing paleness of his companion, "you are too much exhausted to p

ll allay. I shall feel more easy when I have made the present communication. I am approaching the sequel of my narrative. You a

e gardens bordering the blue waters of the river, and commanding a multitude of enchanting prospects. The house, which had in part gone to decay, was inhabited by an aged couple, who had formerly been servants to an English family, the members of which had thus provided for them on their return to their own country. I inquired the name. Conceive my astonishment to find that this chateau had been the residence of the Mowbrays. This intelligence decided me at once-I took up my abode in the house; and a new and un

arrived," ob

f its beauties. I watched each rosy tint reflected upon the surface of the rapid stream-now fading into yellow-now shining silvery white. I noticed the mystic mingling of twilight with darkness-of night with day, till the bright current on a sudd

hout substance, it seemed; yet still the outward character of life was there. I started to my feet. God! what did I behold? The face was turned to me-my father's face! And what an aspect, what a look! Time can never efface that terrible expression; it is graven upon my memory-I cannot describe it. It was not anger-it was not pain: it was as if an eternity of woe were stamped upon its features. It was too dreadful to behold, I would fain have averted my gaze-my eyes were fascinated-fixed-I could not withdraw them from the

a supernatural summons tha

ly," repli

turned Small, musingly; "but it would not be difficult, I th

ult? Could any deceit have been practised upon me, at that distance?-the precise time, moreover, agreeing. Did not the phantom

Small, gravely, "I will suspend them for the present. You are

rest. Something within tells me all is not yet accomplished. What remains?-I shudder to

ad, and having lighted his pipe, was presently buried