. .19 .33

-- HASZAitl)'S GA’/iE'l"l‘l~3. AUGUST 9

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A STORY 01-‘ INGLIIH LAW currxs i. , Os-rnrsml Hsnnrsr was s. ours (and, rather pretty widow. the mother o one little boy, and the mistress of a handsome house and mod rate‘ competence. She was not aeoqaette ; but left at two-and-twenty the widow of a man whom she had married in obedience to her fathsr’s eommand.s man withal old enough to have been her fhther himself, it was no won- der that in a year or so after Mr. Herbert’s death,nei bours began to speculate upon the probab' V es concerning his successor. In somethi less than another year, they had settled the matter to the general satisfaction: and before the third was half gone, were be- coming impatint to know whether the wed- ding-dsy was fixed. Presently it became evi- dent that their conclusions had been premat- ure. and at length gossips grew weary : though ‘ Mrs Herbert and her lawyer‘ remained a stock-0.-ject of discourse, it was gencrall un- derstood to have becoiue one of seeon -rate im ortanee. ' ‘o the lady herselfit was far otherwise, for thou h she ind not given her lieart quite so rendi y as they might suppose, it certainly was given; no one know this better than herself, unless, erlia s he had known it before she did: if e he not, most probably he would never have lmown it at all. George Stuart--such was his name-—was the oung partner of an old attorney, in whose hands Mr. Herbert had left his wife's affairs. These proved to be rather complicated, and, as a natural consequence. the lawyer and ll|8.t'll- ent frequently met. Stuart was the working-

artner, though not head of the firm : and Mrs

erbert grew in the habit of looking to him as her adviser, without considering how far this habit might lead her. '

lt is not easy to say whether Stuart did con- sider this ; his was not a character easily pro- nounced upon. Fitted by nature and educa- tion to adorn society, he entered it only as often as seemed necessary to avoid the iinputa- tion of singularity. Nevertheless, this was the imputation always attached to him, though with what reason few could decide, for ie scrupulously avoided every appearance which could have 'usii e ' n dress, manners, habits, and acquiremcnts, he differed nothing from others of his rank ; yet there must have been a difference somewhere, for every one ac- knowledged, though none could deﬁne it. A few suggt-sted,that it arose from his somewhat unusual style of countenance; others, more justly, considered this not it cause, but an eﬂ'ect.

y was this an unusual face? Nothing in his features was extraordinary. lie had. of course, the usual items. not excepting ‘ two gray eyes and s chin.’ But there was nothing surpassingly handsome in any of them : it was in expression only that his features were re- markable. At first sight. young ladies pro-

nounced himmelanclioly, young men declared him proud; but both opinions were qualiﬁed on a closer acquaintance. ere was an od mixture of‘ gentleness and sternness in the short, ﬁrm curve of his lip : it left one in doubt whe- ther the original character had been harsh or tsndor. So with his eye; its cold, hard gaze was bein red by a peculiar softness, and the beholder pas puzzled to know which was the natural, which the acquired expression.

To rs Herbert. Stuart's manner was always simply respectful. Self-possessed at all times, even -cold and taeiturn upon occasions, it was entirely without eflbrt he acquired any influ’- ence over,her. So completely had tbieindil'er- ence beguilted her from the esuniination of her own,feelings that it was not until‘ she was I stsrtgl into-hazing the item‘ his filiendsbip,

‘the!-{I ebe n to undsrsttnd how h' hl “s s ilsdpsized it. ‘HO,hHVlngpUl’lI'Ip!“m0I'9 w-

-ledge .oi1tlta hunisn hesrt,.rpercei_ving .leng- be»

{om-she did w_b'rther,n|l this might tendi: and gradually, verry y, sought to lessen the danger. is visits ecame less frequent, hie, manners more _ formal. This was the ‘means byywhicgi M'rs._Herbert wits awakened to tfie'do‘nsciousii is of her own partinlity'.'&'i'id st- Clle‘IhﬁB‘tlIl1C'dtul1'g with 'the‘beliet', that he -ssepooted ‘and scorned it; ' 'lhls'lsst- mainten- rioni. ‘hos-ever, soul not endure long.-for not the most fastidious deliealeyoould have detect- ed ,npytlA'ng in his bearingltuyyardehcr which the pron est vvdinau could have resented ; and the Ace ‘ ‘res ect. .tlio almost reverence with which e trea ed her when they met in general‘ socidtyﬁsoon satisﬁed hbr that. whatever his

' lsslingsfor her might be‘, contempt certainly

was not Hmong them. All this was very tan-

. talising. and some women might._have grown

wear ; but Catherine llerbert, however much she might feel the bitterness of unrequited af- fection, could not, if she had wished, have re- ﬁlled or transferred hers. .

Bﬁt after all, her lot was far from being an echo‘ ~"one ; her little son was anadnsirsble uessltgvqngainst dulnsss and solitude. Alas! she knew not how much he had ministered to her happiness, until he was suddenly snatched- _. Stunned by the hlow,n_lniost wish- tliat the cm lfeyeihsd tsksn her too. how ‘to ly, e‘veu wfthout _noy_ing it, did she miss I‘

lieneeforward a blank or,

be endured ; for though her health had solar- sd severely-. youth an strength forbade the re- lease that she almost sighed for. And Geor Stuart, "cold, callous, unfeelin ss_be seen . what was there in the death 0 an infant to _ex- cite his regret‘ He scarcely dared to ask him- self; but when he did summon soon to ‘an-, alyse his feelin s, the truth was soon Il'ﬂV0d_ st. ft is not ti 1 misfortune overtakes the ob- 'ect of its love. that a noble mind understands ow deep that love has be_eu. The blow that. struck her heart communicated itself to his; and it was in the midst of his sorrow for her bereavement, that he ﬁrst confessed to himself that he loved her. To himself?—snd why not: to her? No; this must not be: cold drops‘ stood on his forehead at the thought. ' |

Some weeks elapsed after her little boy s, death are they met. Stuart was unable wholly j to conceal his agitation ; and she, grateful for: his evident sympathy, could scarcely control, her emotion. ew words were spoken, yet that short interview gave her. more pleasuro_ than she had hoped ever again to_ know. Did he than love her after all? And if so, why did he. fear to let her suspect it? What meant that, sudden ﬂush, chased a ain to deadly paleness ?- Why did his hand so aliruptly relinquish hers, unless through the fear that she should deflect its trembling? By such inquiries as these_— foolish except to a woman—did she .beguile many a lone hour away. But something else was in store or her.

She had been from home for several weeks, visiting a. distant relative, when, on returning, she was informed that Mr. Stuart had called once, and his a d partner twice, in her ab- sence. She won cred at this. for Mr. Morgan rarely took so much interest in her affairs as this proceeding seemed to indicate. It was. in fact, owing to Stuart’s earnest request that he had called, Stuart becoming daily more convin- ced of the necessit for his absenting himself.

it was an unlue y move on his part. Mrs lierbcrt, fiincyinr that the business must_be of importance, cu led at the office the morning after her return. Both partners were abent,. but expected momentarily; and Mrs. Herbert seated herself to await their coming. n a table beside her lay a heap of unopened letters, and she began nicclianii-ally to remark the different appearance of each. There were pur- cels of documents, addressed in the round stiff hand which l-etokcned their legal _imp0l'!; lar e letters in blue envelopes, with immense sea s: smaller ones in delicate cream colour. with arms and crest emblazoned thereon. All these bore the address of the firm, but one, the last which Mrs llerbcrt took up, was simply inscribed to ‘ G. Stuart, Esq.’

ow. there in nothing very strange in this. Mrs Herbert knew that private letters were seldom if ever addressed to the office. andinost robably the writer of this had erred through inadvertence. But some strau e thought must have fiitted through Mrs llcr ert‘s brain, for she stood for some moments gazin at the paper in her hand, as if everything e se in the world was forgotten. Suddenly she heard the outer door 0 en ; and hastily rsplacin the letter as she Ifonnd it, .vitli the a dress -downwards, slie ﬂung down her veil and walk- ed to the window.

It was Stuart himself who entered. but Mr. Morgan was scarcely a step behind him. r a quiet greeting, Stuart passed on to the table

ing hers. There was another feelinglb

0 ll! ll ll ,1» z ually nuursi-—cii'~> more as s per ape u eq um “

dread of losing her esteem. lt wu's

read in his fsce ; to this her look gpve ndswer‘ Men know not the strength of a womgp__.' love‘ when they suppose that any one shoc , no’ matter how violent, can materially alter it.

Mr. Mergsn returned in a very few minutes; little did he know the change these minutes had wrou ht in that silent couple! The were, to al appearance, just as be had le 't them——they had not spoken ; and though Stuart's heart mi ht be groaning within him, though Mrs. Her ert‘s lips mig t be whiter now than her cheeks had been be ore, Mr. Mor- gan saw it not. The veil, the thick black veil, was down again ; and by the time he be u- ished his explanations, she had regained her self-command.

The remainder of that day she e nt rather sadly. Bidding her servants deny or to every one. she shut herself into her chamber, and in- dulged in a passion of weeping; yet her tears were not those of unmixed sorrow. There is no nook so sinall,but hope will find a way through it; and whatever might be the mys- tery which encircled Stuart. Catherine was satisfied.that it arose from misfortune rather than error.

She was right: but this seemed to afford little consolation to him, as, pacing up and down his chamber. he were away the night. it was long are he could think 2 the strong dis- cipline to which he had for years subjected hiiuself was for once powerless; the tumult of his feelings defied all government. Ah, it is easy to hear our own griefs ; but the safer- ings of those we love it is impossible to see and remain unmoved ! Niglitwasted; day dawn- ed, and still his line of action was unchosen.

Cll.tI"l'ER ll.

George Stuart sat at his desk, littlo inclined for business, but less for anything else. For- tunately, it was more routine-work he had to attend to, until Mr. Morgan came in. They were in a private ofiice and alone.

‘ George,’ said the old man, ‘you don‘t look quite yourself to-day. Suppose yougshut this up, and take a wa '

‘ Where 1" Stuart knew that his walk was to be on business. ' Mr. Mor n told him. There was a client

_to be calle on in one street, and a deed to be inquired after in another. Lastly, Mrs Her- bert must be informed,that her mort ge on a certain cottage was worth next to not ing. in- asmuch as it had been previously mortgaged to its full value.

Stuart sat still for some moments, and then coldly and briefly excused himself from the proposed walk.

But his partner was not to be so put oﬁ‘. At first, he jested at Stuart's cowardice, won- dered at his fastidiousness, and so on; but perceiving that his badinage was more likely to disgust than to amuse, he chnn ed his tone, and seriously, but very kindl , gged to be informed of the reason of his riend s refusal.

Now, Geor Stuart was not a man to questioned on his own afairs, and to an other

erscu he might have replied coldly or isdsln- nlly: perha s he would not have replied at all ; but for -r. Morgan he had s real respect, which was well merited. During the four or

S’

where the letters lay, and Mr. Morgan pro- ceeded to inform his visitor of the business on ; which he had wished, to see her. Fortunately. i he re uired only asseiiting answers. and these‘ Mrs srbert contrived to give, though her at-‘ tention was 6 herwise occupied Mr. Morgan‘ left her to fetch some document from the outerl co; and, gladvof the relief, she drew aside, her vpil to breathe more freely.. Stuart's. biipd! was on the letter, the lprlys letter, and hes opened it without bbserying the address. A’ “strange look shot across his countenance, as- tho‘ tesd-sheet i'net'his eye: it look ofungerl and eststion, subdued at once into soornfulg aity. But Catherine llei-hert knew not whatl _ at lo k_ expressed; she, saw only that it _be- tokepe some strong emotion, and the rush of feeling deprived her of the power to thinlul, llerqyes clb‘sed'in‘voluutarlly,‘but only for a, mm at; the tiiould n'o'!' faint; and reopening them‘, she saw his fixed upon her with a look so elo<¢uont.nfovorwhelniing anguish, that all; thonglmof herselfwas ino moment eclipsed. §

what strange alchoniy. is it,that in the breast of a true woman the ,wildest asiions are sometimes instantaneousl convcr ed into the most gentle! lt is not ove‘ alone—it. is faith : the pure full“*ustfulness of an unde- ceivtsd, undeheiving spirit. Stuart's look of agony was met by one of love. At that me- mcnt, Catherine would not have scrupled to confess it, though never till that moment had she felt it so cntirel hopeless. The impulse ofjealous ' was swa lowed u in that of gener- ous” uﬁcct on ; and the grate til brightness that started into Stuart's eyes showed that he un- derstood and s precisted her feeling.

Yes, he an erstood all. At sight of the letter. which to him sssssed is fearful in. forest, be bad involuntarily glanced at Mrs. Herbert. The obange in her countenance told

'ons0lstiotIs of ﬂwgltllj-' Life "OM04 ‘him how she had.interpreted his, and to his and yet life will own painful emotions was added this of observ-

five years of their partnership, the your: man had been treated y_the elder one wit uni- fortukiuduess unddelicac . If now the latter seemed to ,b_s oversteppi-. . Geo e knew well that it was only an excess of the oriner feelin

which occasioned the trespass. . So. instes

of that impenetrable look of distance b which common iuquirers are repelled, he hal smiled as he ‘answered: .

'Il'.lb no_t»slwsys. oqsible to give a reason for our iikings or dis ikings lt is not enough to ssy,tiiat [feel disinclinedto walk 1’ '

Mr. Morgsnvsiiook his head,and laugheda little. “Come, George; be; open with me. How liss she vexed oul’ ,

This was too blunt. Stuart looked angry: but in a minute or two replied nfly: ‘ You are mistaken, any good» friend. tend not to understand you ; but you are alto-

gether wron

‘ Iain saf§.§I'for that-. Guorge. I fear tltat others have mistaken also.‘ . -

Stuart looked up. and encountered a gmvc. almost disapproving look. \\'lllt‘lI he returned soiiiewhat proudly, and rose from his seat.

‘ Don't be angry, (ieurgo. Sit down. I thou -litydu tooktlne for s friend 1’ .

‘ lfou have. shown ourself one,‘ replied 330311. gfﬂlping tlitrhiind wliieli Mr. Morgan held out to him ; * But ’—-

’ But you will not give me a friendly confi- dence' (‘ime. George, l have watched you for somo time, and I cannot help thinking that you are using poor, pretty Mrs Herbert rntlicr liadly.’_

Coming at such a moment, this was a bitter accusation. It was too June for Stuart's ovcrwroug|it_ feelings, which could not take refuge_iu indignation :the kind gentleness ofliis friend s manner rendered that impossible. He sat down ; but when he would lia sspoken, the convulsive trembling of his lip orbads it. For a moment his head was turned aside, and

. esluily crossed his sriis

from his seat.

cannot pre- '

la" , hand ng w

ressed his forehead ; than the

reashrted its mastery, and he _ _ pon his chest, while his lip curled. ss lfdisd the emotion 1,8 liadllstpily oxhilsiéed. ,' f or vs no. eorge, ssid Mr Morgan, a good _ I startled st sssing_how lllch pain be

ad_ in icﬂd. ‘ I bad no wish to annoy you. I will sit no more.’ -

It is not strange that often somethin which we deemed an annoyance. should at tlis mo. ment of its removal become {in our eyesl Stuart ll.td been inexpreegibl snno gd at Mr. Morgan}: inquisition, gt nob he fe t g sort of disappointment. Besides, was he not leaving him under a false impression, though perhaps somewhat altered from the ori inal one‘! With a strong eﬂbrt, he requests his friend to stay.

f Resume your catechism, my dear sir,’ he said, ‘ andl will answer you faithfully up to a certain point. Be ond that Ieannot o

Mr Morgan twir ed his gloves, scarce y know-

ing what to say. ‘ Well,’ Stuart persisted, ‘ will you begin 1’ ‘ Why. dear fellow, you puzzle me ex-

in cessively. {was inclined to charge you with coldness and want of feeling.’

‘That is nothing new,‘ said Stuart, with a look half sad, half scornful: ‘ that has been my imputed character for years.’

‘ But in this particular case, George ! To come to the point at once : I am sure you liked Mrs.llerbcrt once.’

‘I have always highly esteemed the lady you mention.‘

‘ You could not, then, intend to shew her disrespect.’

‘ Disrespect! What can you mean?’

‘ Have you not to-day, for the third time, declined seeing her? Supposing this were known, what would be the impression produ- ced’ I fear, one more favorable to your fas- tidiousness than to her delieae .’

‘ You may be right,’ Stuart replied alter a while; ‘iievertl'$_"’es,l could only do as I have done. Of two evils, I have chosen the least.‘

' Explain yourself..

‘ It is not easy to do so. I felt it my duty to break off an intercourse which might per- ha s’——--

'pl understand. But why your duty‘! ' Stuart was silent. ‘ Excuse me, Are you " set" against marry-

.... 5

1 Y f‘My dear friend, you have reached the point at which i told you that your questions or my answers must cease.’

Mr Morgan looked disappointed and sorry.

‘ M confidence would only give you pain, Ilvlr‘; lorgan,’ said Stuart, replying to the co .

‘ Then you will not tell me! You will not let me know, what this is that burdens your heart and shadows your countenance-—that is crossing your forehead with wrinkles, and streaking your hair with grey! ’

Ilslf smiling, yet sadly. Mr. Morgan rose Stuart rose too, and walked to the window: then, after some moments‘ reloc- tion, he turned again with a firm though slow movement, and walked back to his ses‘t.

‘His story was soon told: he made but a simple statement of a few sad facts, leaving his nesrer’s imagination to fill u the outline. Eyen so let me tell what he to] : few words will suﬂics. He had loved unwisely, married rashly; had trimted first, to doubt afterwards; had wondered, feared. suspected. Alas for ties suspicion which cannot be sllayed, except as ti has been ! Not long had he to endure sus- pense. Conviction forced itself upon him, and th ‘sunshine of his life was ended.

‘ s had loved, I ssid,nnwisel , for the livi object of his love was not like t e ideal. , ' E l‘-he gmhusiasm of boyhood. he lied attributed to her all the virtues ho wishedlier to ' '

. ‘$33 Fail believed thpt her love__ f0l'~.lv,ll0 no ’ and the good {was as ardent as his own. Oh how many llL‘lll't-\l‘l"|l|As tears. ow,.mnn urso

unknown an isli. do these crusted hopes and deadciied aspirations bosttus! .:. _ ' In low tones, with eyes bent to-tho ground, Stuzirtund his friend oonvorssd. .

' Whel-e isslie howl risked Mr. Morgan. '

Stuart told him. ‘

‘ And how’ does she subsist?’

Stuart i-xplaipvd that he had made arr:ir.g.- incnts for her l"t't'L'l\lllg a small annuity, on coiiditloti ‘that she never in any inadher intru- ded licrsolf. upon liini. The letter he had re- ceived lately was a- breaeb,of that sgrdenit-'it.

‘ Rees she write as apeniteut, George!‘

‘ Simply as a person transacting business.’

llc_gave the letter to Mr. Morgan. who per- used it circfully, and on laying it down mut- tered half aloud; ‘ And almost seeming to think herself‘ the injured rty !—You never sued ' ’ he ask a moment afterwards: ' you never sought a divorce! '

‘Why did you not? ’

‘Tl|0l'0 .were several reasons,’ said Stuart evasively.

‘The,sx sure?‘

' Ay. w o lilres_to see himself and his wxvszs in the hands of every newspaper

editor 1-at the mercy of every idler who