656 A PAGE FKOM A CANTAlfs NOTE-BOOK. 



tation. At first, her recovery was but partial, for the frequent and wild 

 fits under which she laboured, rendered it constantly necessary to watch 

 her every movement, and often to place a restraint upon her actions 

 which threatened to immolate the frail form which her malady had 

 spared. By degrees, however, these fits became more rare, and the poor 

 sufferer was once again permitted to resume her station in society. Her 

 physicians hoped, that by joining in the gaieties and pleasures of the 

 world, the most effectual and speedy remedy for her disease would be 

 attained, and so, in truth, it proved ; for Constantia, although she sel- 

 dom smiled, sometimes joined in the dance, and sat at the festive board, 

 beloved by all, and feared by none. (f It is upwards of a year," conti- 

 nued my friend, " since she has been visited by any of the consequences 

 of her fatal malady, and we believe that she is now totally restored. 

 Cecilia and she are inseparable companions j they were reared, as it 

 were, in the same cradle, and, as cousins, have been constantly together : 

 and, indeed, when others have been unable, during the continuance of 

 the fits, to soothe the mind of the interesting sufferer, my sister has sel- 

 dom failed to succeed. But," he continued, " I must seek my partner." 



There was something in this narrative too deeply touching to permit 

 me to join immediately the throng ; a string of my heart had been 

 struck, which would only vibrate to the sound of sorrow. I retired, 

 therefore, to a niche at the extremity of the hall, where, unseen, I could 

 meditate on what I had heard,, and watch the graceful, but melancholy 

 movements of the young and ill-fated Constantia. It was not very 

 strange that I should have taken so lively an interest in this poor suf- 

 ferer, and the tale of her woes, for I had lately mourned the death of 

 a beloved relation, who had sunk to an early tomb, though with a mind 

 unshaken, yet with a heart cruhsed and broken as Constantia's. The 

 guests began to disperse, and the efforts of the musicians to be more 

 irregular and drowsy ; and feeling heavy and fatigued with my ride, I 

 stole silently to my chamber. 



How long I slept, I know not, but I was awoke by the wildest strain 

 of vocal music I had ever heard ; and, as the moon was streaming 

 through the gothic panes with her broad pale light, I leaped from my 

 bed, to ascertain from what fair serenader the sounds proceeded. But 

 the song had ceased, and all was still as the grave. I opened gently 

 the casement of the window, and leaning forward, gazed out upon the 

 beauty of the night. I perceived, on looking around, that the room I 

 occupied formed one of several that led to a broad stone terrace, which 

 overhung what I presumed to be the large court-yard of the castle, and 

 a faint light, rendered hardly discernible by the effulgence of the moon's 

 rays, assured me that I was not the only tenant of the range. 



I heard the voice again, but it seemed, if possible, in a sweeter strain. 

 The curtains of the neighbouring window slowly drawn aside, and the 

 casement quietly opened by a female hand. I fancied I could recog- 

 nize the slim form and dark hair~of Constantia I/Estrange. Impelled 

 by I know not what motive, for I did not wait to analyse it, I hastily 

 wrapped myself in my dressing gown, and in a moment was stealing 

 silently in the direction of the open window. Fair reader, do not blame 

 or condemn me, for an indescribable presentiment of impending mis- 

 chief had seized me, which I could neither shake off, nor exactly account 

 for. Creeping slowly under the shade of the parapet wall of the ter- 

 race, I approached as nearly as I could the object of my solicitude, and, 



