like a bear than a man; and I tould him at last-when, out of fair cruelty, he sat staring at the poor gentleman, who would move the heart of a stone, so he would-and yet he tramped about the room till he woke him, and then the crayshur lay trembling like a bird that hasn't the power to keep out of the sarpint's mouth; and still he sot with the sneer on his lips, and the fire of (I ask your pardon, I oughtn't to think of such a place even, before you, Miss Helen); but, if ever the devil lit a fire, he lit it in in his eyes -it's the thruth! and all the poor gentleman could do, was to keep on saying, ‘Take him -away, take him away.' But he had no mercy; there he sot, until I as good as forced him out; for, if he had stayed much longer, the masther would have gone raving—I know he would." And then, with the versatility of his own dear country, in quite another key, he added-" And had ye a pleasant party, dear? -and sure every one was worshipping ye; and Miss Helen avourneen, I wish to my

heart ye'd marry some of those fine gentleman that do be dying for ye—I wish you wouldjust to get rid of them, and have a fine purtector for yerself; that's what I'd like—so I would; he's quiet and 'asy, now, my jewel— and God be praised for it; so go to bed-and sure ye don't want candle this blessed night to do that same, for the dawn is breaking like goold, and, by God's blessing, it's a fine day we'll have to-morrow."

"Helen!" I called, for she was standing, like a statue, in the little vestibule, the stragling light streaming through the fan-light on her head.

She made no answer.

I returned. She took no notice. Jerry stood by, holding the candle; he had taken off his shoes not to make a noise, and a red cotton handkerchief was twisted-night-cap fashion-round his head: he looked wild and strange.

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Helen," I said, and I put my arm round her waist-" Helen darling, come to bed, and

try to sleep. Jerry says your father is quite quiet now. Do come-there's a darling!" She yielded to my guidance all the way to her room, just turning in to look at her. father.

"Did Jerry say he was to return?" she enquired, in a dull, husky voice.

"No; shall I ask him?”

"No; no matter. There, leave me! The body can have but one funeral; the mind has many."

1

I unfastened her dress, unclasped a bracelet that a queen might envy, which Mrs Joseph Greene had given her-took off her necklace and the flowers that looked so pretty on her glossy hair. She was as a tired child under my hands; all but her face-it was so colourless, and her eyes so bright-they were not tired,' and yet they had no sight for things around her.

At last, having fairly undressed her, I again entreated her to go to bed.

She turned round, and passed her hands

so icy cold they were several times over my face. There was something so tender and caressing in the movement- something so sweet and helpless in her manner, that I could hardly refrain from weeping. I led her to her little bed; she sank on her knees by its side, and I saw her strive for prayer, for her hands were clenched together, and her head thrown back; then I knew I had no business there I passed quietly from the room, leaving her alone with her Creator.

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CHAPTER III.

"Some dreams we have are nothing else but dreams,

Unnatural and full of contradictions;

Yet others of our most romantic schemes

Are something more than fictions."

HOOD.

HELEN met me the next afternoon as if nothing had occurred the previous night to disturb our tranquility; but after a little of her bright sparkling conversation, a sort of silence seemed to take possession of us both, which proceeded from natural restraint. At last, as by an effort, she exclaimed, "Dear Nobody, I do not wish to keep my own secrets from you, and I must tell you, I have had a very singular letter from Eugene's mother. Read it!"