her. So Mary had to trip back again with a some, and my expenses very few. I had worn message that Miss Aston had a niece staying mourning for years, and my plain black dresses with her who would drive her; she was obliged to Mr. Swayne.

"Mr. Swayne is such an odd man!" my aunt said, quite bashfully, I fancied.

"Not so odd to think he should like to oblige you, auntie?" I answered.

Aunt only shook her head, and sighed again. The little placid sigh that seemed habitual to her, and that always made me feel impatient with her.

had cost me little. So now I felt quite rich, and for the first time in my life, it gladdened me to hold money in my hand. I wanted to look well, and I fancied I might improve my appearance by dressing better. Harold had loved me as he found me; so, for him, I would gladly look as pretty as possible.

What my purchases should be was again the subject of conversation as I drove my aunt along the pretty, winding, fragrant lanes, down Aunt Aston, I knew, kept early hours; so into the little valley, crossing the bridge over I soon bade good-night. Mindful of the the placid river, through Lord A.'s beautiful economy practised in her little household, I chestnut-studded beech-groved park, which first put out my candle, and then sat in the the use of Mr. Swayne's name enabled us to window, 'neath the starlight, for hours. To cut across. Then slowly up the one long dream happily on the basis of things probable was so new a delight, I could not easily be satisfied, and when at last my thoughts set themselves in musical order, I went to bed only to sing them over in my sleep.

steep hill of the neighborhood, across a small tract of open down, where the wind blew fresher, and I fancied the sea might not be far off, and down again gradually, the churchspire and house-tops, and clustering trees of Hard lying beneath us.

Arrived, our pony was dismissed for a few hours' rest. We had so much business to do! Hard was a very small town; but its shops were well supplied, and our fastidiousness had as good a chance of being gratified as at many

Aunt Aston and I did not very well agree in our opinions about dress. She had the quietest, most Quaker-like taste for herself; but for a young person, like me, she fancied brighter colors, and recommended pinks, and blues, and greens, most indiscriminatingly.

But I remember I slept little that night; it seemed as if my soul under my eyelids kept up too much light. The red dawn woke me, and I did not close my eyes again; but while the first heavy dewiness was in air and on earth, I visited the hayfields, buried my face in the hawthorn hedges, withdrawing it dis- a larger place. figured by one or two unfriendly scratches, shook the petals of some late-blooming apple trees in showers down upon my upturned face, and gathered my hands full of wild pink and white-brier roses. Their perfume now always calls to my mind the bowery lanes round Ilton! There was a very wild life beating at My soft, pearly colored silk, delicately-patmy heart that morning, in spite of the quiet terned muslin, and cloudy-colored barège did step with which I paced about. I went in look rather sober-hued; so I bought some with dew-dabbled skirts, torn hands, and hair bright pretty ribbons to please Aunt Aston, dishevelled from its usual scrupulous neatness. and then we thought it prudent to ascertain Aunt Aston was down, and breakfast waiting the amount of our expenditure before buying -but I had a second toilette to make before more. I had already made a large hole I was presentable; and then I glanced rue- in my small fortune; so that would do for tofully at my hands when my aunt directed my attention to them. Harold would not like to see them so disfigured. I would wear gloves in future in my country rambles, I thought.

day, we thought. We must calculate and consider a little before we laid out more there. Then we had visits to pay to the dress-maker and milliner. That last, I remember, was a most unsatisfactory visit. How plain I looked My aunt usually breakfasted at seven. That in her gay, flowery bonnets! but in one of morning it was past eight when we sat down; soft, transparent white my poor face pleased and, before we had finished, our carriage was me better; and in the choice of a second 1 waiting for us at the door. I had, what seemed allowed Aunt Aston to have her way. I was to me, a large sum of money in my possession quite sick of my morning's employment by -a whole year's salary untouched, and a little this time, and my Aunt was tired too. She money saved from the earnings of former had friends in the town; should we go and years besides. Yet saved is hardly the right see them? I said "Please no!"and so we went word. My money, as soon as received, was to a confectioner's, and thence sent for our litalways thrown into a drawer. I hated the tle carriage, and away home. What a time sight of it. My wages-as I scornfully termed we had spent! I felt a kind of contempt for it. I felt nothing of the nobility or the wor-myself and for my companion, who talked over ship of labor. I always resented-never our purchases with lively interest, as we drove gloried in-my state of servitude. My salary home in the golden afternoon silence. I was had, as Mrs. Stone reminded me, been hand-warm and out of temper, in consequence of

which, and of my languid, indifferent driving, |ance, and despatched a large parcel to Hard I nearly overset our carriage, and very much by the coach that evening. Among the variefrightened my aunt. She was silent, and I ty I had found one dress fit for Mary's wearpenitent, after that. ing, and by presenting her with which I quite won her heart.

"A box came by the carrier, for you miss," Mary announced, as she came to lead the pony home, when we had got out.

"For me? are you sure?" I asked. "Miss Anrie Aston, Thorn Cottage, Ilton, is on it, miss; so I think it's for you." Of course there was but one person in the wide world would send anything to me. I sat down in the parlor window-seat, and took off my gloves, my bonnet, my shawl, deliberately, before I proceeded to examine its contents.

My unrestful spirit was beginning to weary of Thorn cottage at the close of the fortnight. The low, rich, lovely country even, became tedious, as I had nothing to do but to enjoy it. I longed for hill-climbing, and most intensely for that great treat Harold had promised me, being by and on the sea. I was tired of dreaming over my needle-work, in my long walks, in the bay-fields, in the nighttime-dreams I had no one to share: my spirit was thirsting to taste the communion, the perfect sympathy, which I fancied was to take all the pain of over-fulness from my soul

Mary considerately had it uncorded by the man who brought it. I opened it at last, and Aunt Aston proceeded to examine the contained treasures. I found a letter on the top, and was fully occupied with that. These things for the future. My aunt could only sigh and were "for my little wife, whom I have a right to bury under heaps of finery if I choose, and if could bear to have her out of my sight; and who has no right to wave gifts of her husband's away with any proud flourishes of her little white hand," the letter said.

smile, warn me not to hope too much, and caution me that in marriage, no doubt, as in every temporal estate, there was much to endure as well as much to enjoy. "Not hope too much!" I startled her one day by passionately exclaiming. "Was there then no joy Harold had commissioned a lady-friend, a in life? My past had been bitter enough to friend of his mother's, to choose these things give me a right to demand joy for my future." for him, describing to her the little person My aunt began a tearful and prayerful and whose wearing was to endear them. They tender little lecture on meekness, and pawere well enough chosen, yet rather too gay, perhaps, and much too costly, I thought.

I stood musing, my letter in my hand turning over with my foot quite absently the heap of treasures Aunt Aston was examining. I was doing mischief; my shoe was dusty, and with it I was touching a white lace something. Aunt called out to me, and then I roused myself, and listened to her comments.

tience, and trust; but I could not bear it then, and went away with a perturbed spirit. I sat in my window up-stairs till it grew dusk enough for the moonlight to show its power. I had found a sweet thought before I had sat there long. Harold-my one friend, hope, joy-my life, my very life-was coming tomorrow. And I had forgotten all doubt and anger at the one who raised it, and, had sat "Annie, I'm afraid Mr. Warden is extra-long smiling out into the moonlight, and hugvagant, dear; you must talk to him about it. ging my happiness, when my aunt came timidHow beautiful this is! We must send that to ly in. She had a candle in her hand; I be made up the coach passes our door this thought she had been crying. "He is comevening at six; you must choose what you ing to-morrow, to-morrow!" I whispered, as will send. Did you see this brooch and brace- we bade each other a very loving good-night. let-pearl and amethyst-is it not pretty? I lit the candle she brought me from hers, You must be married in this; it is lovely! soon to put it out, for I liked the moonlightHow you will astonish the people in the vil-streaked dimness. lage! and the church is quite the other end of it. How will you get there?-there will be such a crowd! My dear child, what will you do with all these things?"

"Look here, aunt," I said. I had found a little separate packet of silk and ribbons, all of a pretty sober color, on which was written, "For Miss Aston (Annie's aunt)."

"How very kind and thoughtful he is," aunt exclaimed.

"Of course he is, auntie dear," I said, proudly, my heart swelling with happiness. The poor dress I had meant for you is thrown into the shade."

Next day, aunt was much more fluttered and nervously expectant than I. Then she was so full of business, too! though what she had to do, I could not tell.

Her dress was home, fitted admirably, and became her very well. Everything of mine that I cared to have then was ready: it seemed to me that we might sit down and wait quietly.

I forgot to say that I had made the acquaintance of my aunt's polite friend, Mr. Swayne. He was a widower; his wife had been my aunt's schoolfellow and one particular friend; so there was the intimacy of almost relationWe made a selection from among my abund-ship between them. He was to be present at

our marriage, giving me away, and at his house Harold would sleep the one night of his stay in Ilton.

While my aunt fluttered and flitted about the house, up-stairs and down, and in and out the kitchen, I did what I could; filled every glass and vase I could find with fresh flowers, took the covers, at my aunt's request, from the pretty furniture, and superintended the hanging of snowy muslin curtains in the windows; then there was no more to be done anywhere, I was sure.

Harold would come by the coach at six in the evening. Tea was to be ready for him, and more substantial fare. I had first smilingly, then gravely, to remonstrate with my aunt about the over-abundance of eatables she wanted to provide.

"Gentlemen had such appetites-when they came off long journeys, especially," she said.

now, but not with the interest of feeling of that time. I had wanted to forget my sickening expectation for a little while. I was soon completely absorbed, forgetting even the giver of that as of all my other pleasures. Is it not often the way of the world to forget the giver in his gifts?

It was not a book to be easily read, understood, and forgotten. It called out all the power of my nature. I read on breathlessly, only, when my eyes were dim, pausing to look up and out over the wavering land.

My aunt knocked at my door, and then came in, saying:

"I would not disturb you before, Annie; but now it is nearly six I thought you could not know how late it was."

"Indeed I did not," I answered. very, very beautiful."

66

"It is so

What is, my love?
"This book I have been reading-a poem
Harold gave me; we must take it away with
us: he must read it—we will read it together."
"Then he likes poetry as well as you do?"
asked my aunt.

"Of course," I answered, confidently.
"How nicely you look! I am sure he will
pleased. But you are so like your moth-
The brow and eyes are hers exactly,

I put off my black dress that day. Early in the afternoon aunt and I went up to make our toilettes. I looked anxiously at my face in the glass. Country air had done something for me. The hue of my skin was freshened, and my cheeks boasted a little color. I put on a pretty new dress, the tint of which suit- be ed me. It was not too bright, too dingy, or er! too delicate. My brown hair (I had plenty and of it then) I braided very carefully. I fasten- "You do think I look well?-really, dear ed my soft lace collar with a pretty brooch-aunt? Better than the little, dusty, dusky not the grand one, but one of Harold's presents, nevertheless. I had protected my hands carefully since the first morning, and the scars of the scratches had disappeared from them and from my cheek, and the transparent lace. sleeves fell cloudily and becoming down over those hands he admired. How carefully looked at myself-scrutinizingly and gravely -till the very gravity of my poor face provoked me to laughter. But I thought of Harold-fancied him-so grand and tall and handsome-standing beside me, and turned away from the glass, disconsolately sighing out, "What can he find in poor little me? I gathered a dark red rose from beneath my window, and put it in my hair, but without venturing to look at myself again.

I was warm; for it was a very brilliantlysunny afternoon-but a delicious breeze came in at the open casement; so I sat down there to read. I had a book Harold had given me "because every one was talking about it "-a new poem-in my hand. I had not much cared to read it, as he had not done so, and I should not be following where his eyes and thoughts had gone before. I had had the book a month and had not opened it; and now I turned over the leaves, carelessly, at first, but my attention was soon caught.

I have that book lying by me as I write-it delights me still. I can read it more aright

traveller who stood at your door a fortnight
since to-morrow?" I asked, anxiously.
"Yes; you are not like the same creature."
"I am very glad you think I look well.”
I picked up the book reverently (I had
dropped it when Aunt Aston startled me),
and put it with things I was to take away with
me; and then we went down-stairs.”

I walked up and down the room while we waited-I could not sit still. The rumbling of wheels reached us in the country silence, while the coach was a long way off. But it was at the gate at last. Harold jumped off almost before it stopped, much to aunt's alarm, who was peeping shyly out from behind the curtains. I did not know if I ran out, or stood still, or what I did; I only knew that soon I was gathered within Harold's arms, and then held off at a little distance and examined. I raised my eyes inquiringly to his; I was soon sure that he was satisfied, and glad to cast them down, because the hot blood would rush blindingly across my face.

Then he introduced himself to my aunt, and thanked her so heartily and cordially that tears sprang to her blue eyes, for having taken such excellent care, as my appearance tes tified to, of me. And when he sat down she forgot how tall he was, and how afraid of him she had been, and they chatted away easily and gayly: and all the while my hand

"Get your cigar, if you must have one, Harold, but let me stay, please," I pleaded. "I am not cold at all, and I know I shall not sleep down there, it will be so warm."

was clasped so close and tight in his! We had tea, and then we-Harold and I-went out into the hay-fields. Aunt ran after us to the door to beg Harold to take care not to knock his head as he went out; and he laugh- But a drizzly rain began to fall; of course, ed his honest laugh, and she went smiling staying out all night would have been a most back, and up-stairs into my room, to make irrational proceeding, and my husband was some last arrangements for me. The hay- very wisely decided. He took me down stairs, fields that night! For neither of us were guiding my feet carefully in the uncertain light there ever such hay-fields again. Oh, my husband, you were happy then!

Next day we were married. I said farewell to my good aunt, to pretty Ilton, to bluff Mr. Swayne, and we went forth he and I. For a little while I mused over the anxious, sad expression of Aunt Aston's face, but soon forgot to wonder at it any longer.

CHAPTER II.

from the lamp at the bottom, and left me at the door of the den, as I called the crowded sleeping-place. Already I had seen, or fancied that he would expect from me, only an implicit and child-like obedience. As yet I had found it very sweet to obey, where to obey had only been to do what was most pleasant; to-night I was inclined to rebel; it was so stiflingly close and warm down there, "might I not go up again?" But Harold pressed a "Good-night," on my lips, pressing me the while to his heart, and my impatience vanished, and I obeyed.

So I stood that night—a wild, weird night -leaning against my husband with folded arms; loving to measure my insignificance; to be at his side, not much more than reaching I lay a long time rocked on my uncomfortato his elbow, yet as high as his heart,-to look ble couch, with my eyes obstinately wide open, up into the handsome face so far above me listening to the firm, rather heavy, footstep when held erect, so often stooped down ten-pacing to and fro above me. At last, I supderly to mine. And I mused over the bitter pose, I fell asleep listening, and then the step things of my past life, imagined the happi- crushed painfully into my heart and brain, and ness to come to both of us, the happiness I awoke in trouble and affright. It was new of hours, days, years, and a whole life spent to me to be on the sea, it was awful, the waves together; never knowing end of love nor weariness of existence. And I felt peace, and knew rest-for a little while-standing secure in the certainty of possession.

We were on our way to Scotland.

rushed so fiercely past the little window against which I lay! 1 could but dimly see, yet I heard and felt them; they stirred, not fear, but a wild, half-pleasant excitement within me.

The wind blew round us; sometimes driv- I listened again to the steps above; I felt ing the waves so violently against the ship's half-jealous that without me he found pleasure side that the foam splashed up in my face, and in lingering there so long. At last I heard the driving the clouds recklessly and violently sound no longer; "He is going to sleep now," across the wild sky, and the pale struggling I thought, so I voluntarily closed my eyes, pilmoon. And we were rocked up and down, yet lowed my cheek on my arm, and composed standing firm together, the wind and the sea myself for quiet slumber. singing us an inspiriting song, a loud soulthrilling anthem; but too loud and too shrill for an epithalamium.

When we touched land next day, all was wrapped in a mist-mantle; we could see nothing, but we went on by land to our first restThe other passengers had disappeared one ing-place,-reaching it in the evening. On by one, we were alone. I could have remained the morrow I saw the sun shine upon one of there forever, I thought, so supported, so sere- the most lovely places in the Highlands,-lovenaded. Breaking into the world of my ima-ly and grand at once, and more beautiful than ginings came my husband's voice. I could bear.

I

Harold had thought to surprise me,-thought should admire it, was very glad it was fine weather. I had never till now seen anything of mountainous, or even hilly scenery; the pretty country round Ilton was the most beautiful feature of Nature's face I had ever grown acquainted with.

"Annie, darling, it is getting cold! What a rough night it is!" And as he spoke, the strong encircling arm drew my wrappings closer; he went on," You must not stay here any longer, love; you had better go below, and get a few hours' sleep, for it is long past midnight. I shall get a cigar, and walk up and down a little; I am quite chilly, and I am sure you must be." Now, I stood by the side of the loch in the No, I was not; and I did not want to go morning-the early morning-I looked down down, out of the wind and the foam-splash into towards the sea; up to the splendid peak the close atmosphere of the ladies' cabin. I, above peak of mountains piled up as far leaning there, against his heart, had not thought as I could discern; across the wide, still of being cold. blue water, to the graceful hanging woods,

DXCIV. LIVING AGE. VOL XL 6

and heathery sheep-dotted slopes on the "Is not that true? Have we not felt it?' other side. What could I do? My heart I said, looking up to my husband's face, seekwas swelling, my eyes kindling and dilat-ing to meet his expression of emotion and pleaing, my cheek flushing and chilling-I clasp- sure. ed my hands tightly together, almost as if in pain.

At that moment Harold came up, with a bright, laughing face, and hurrying step, and eyes fixed only on me.

His eyes were closed, his arm rested on some cushion he had brought for me, and I had not cared to use; his head was thrown back upon that arm, and he was fast asleep! I looked at him long, half in anger, half in love. I turned to him; I remember he stopped and I see the face now as it looked then. His sleep looked at me wonderingly; I did not notice that was child-like in its perfect repose; his brow then; I uttered a little of my admiration and was so smooth, his mouth so quietly happy in delight, in words that seemed to me mockingly its expression, his breathing so low and regupoor and feeble. I looked up in my husband's lar. At least he must be dreaming some beauface for sympathy: he smiled down on me, kind-tiful dream-dreaming only of me, perhaps, I ly as ever; but somehow my haughty spirit rose thought.

me.

Breakfast was ready, the urn waiting, and the salmon steaks on the table, Harold said. So I walked in beside him, not taking his offered arm, pretending not to see it.

up in arms against that smile; a flashing look I had lifted my head from its resting-place, of something like disdain aimed at him fell I did not replace it; I sat quite erect, and back on me, paining only my own heart, and kept myself very still. I put a fern-leaf, from a miserable doubt and dread darted through a bunch of them I had in my hat, to mark the place where I had left off reading, and then closed my book. For some time I sat watching the ripples in the waters, and listening to Harold's breathing, with a cloudy face, and a heart that had not quite made up its resolve The day was very warm and lovely, and we whether or no to resent this neglect. I got spent it on the water. We had hired a light tired of sitting in dignified rigidity. I leaned little boat; Harold rowed it across to the other over the boat's side, and amused myself with side; we explored that shore a little, then we the broken reflections of my face and hands in moored our boat to the stump of a felled tree, the water; with splashing it up softly to my and sat in it under the shade of the wood forehead, and seeing the separate drops, pearlthat hung far over the marge. We enjoyed like, fall back upon the face of the loch. And the gentle rocking motion, the sound of the I thought of Undine and water-sprites, good and ripple against the side, and the delicious fresh-ill, and tried to look to the bottom of the waness of the light breeze that came up from the ter, that seemed to repel my glances, by flashsea, and breathed upon our faces. We talked little, and very softly. I had taken off my hat for coolness, and I sat in the bottom of our boat, resting my head against my husband's knee. I liked to feel his hand every now and then, passed caressingly and lovingly over my hair.

"Shall I read to you, Harold ?" I asked, after we had sat so a long while, and I fancied he might be wearying of idleness, though I was not. Already I consciously recognized a difference between us.

"If you like, Annie," he answered; "if it won't tire you; but it is very hot."

I produced my treasured book, the book he had given me. I told him how beautiful it was, how much he would like it; and then I began to read. I read in a low subdued voice; I did not want to break in upon the harmony of the soft music made by wind and

water.

How quietly I went on, and yet how deeply and troublously the poet's thoughts moved me! Sometimes I felt my cheek grow chill, and my eyes dim with tears, as some passage thrilled through me.

After I had read some time, I glanced round.

ing back its own brightness dazzlingly on my eyes, and imagined the sights fair and foul that might lie there, till I almost saw strange eyes and hands gazing at me, and beckoning to me, from below. Then I drew back to the other side, and folding my hands, gave myself up to day-dreaming. I knew it must be quite late in the afternoon now; the wind had quite died away, the water did not ripple, our boat did not stir, there was a great dream-silence, under-toned by the faint hum and buzz of insects in the near wood.

A very audible yawn and noise of stretching and stirring, told me that my husband was waking at last. The noise broke in jarringly upon my delicious dreaming, it was so loud! I did not look up or speak, but sat looking straight before me far away.

"Why I have been asleep. I declare!" Harold exclaimed. "It is just five o'clock. Why didn't you wake me, Annie? You should have thrown some water in my face. You have been sitting there, quiet and patient, waiting for your lord's awakening, eh, you darling little mouse? How stupid you must have thought me ?"

"I was very well amused," I answered coldly.