202 A Story of the Plague of Gibraltar. [MARCH, 



eighteen; but her figure, as well as her mind, had somewhat out- 

 stripped her age : the former, cast in the most perfect mould, added to 

 an almost infantine lightness, those gracious contours which belong to 

 maturer years ; and with the artlessness of childhood, her mind was 

 already rich in those indescribable and nameless elegances and percep- 

 tions, which are rarely the accompaniment of even a riper age. I wish 

 I could describe her countenance ; but this is impossible. I can only 

 say that it was radiant with beauty, youth, and gladness, and that the 

 expression of contemplative thought that sometimes shadowed it, but 

 increased its charm ; as the thin cloud, veiling but not obscuring the 

 sunbeams, throws upon the earth a softer and more mellowed light. I 

 often saw Courtenay and Caroline Lorn together ; it was evident that 

 they were bound by no common attachment ; and if, from present pro- 

 mise, human reason ever dare predict future felicity, it might there have 

 indulged its augury ; for happiness had already unfolded her fairest 

 blossoms, and they had outlived the hour when frost might have blighted 

 them. Is there not a season in love, when the beatings of the heart are 

 but the chroniclers of happiness ? 



There are some who may perhaps say, contemptuously, "this is a 

 love-tale!" Reader, I wish it were; I wish I had only to record the 

 triumphs, or the difficulties of love : but he is a poor philosopher, and 

 but indifferently skilled in the history of the human mind which is the 

 history of the world who speaks contemptuously of a love-tale. If such 

 be deficient in interest, the fault may lie with the narrator, but surely 

 not with the passion, which has led to wilder, ay ! and to greater and 

 nobler deeds, and which has brought with it more happiness, and more 

 misery, and has been the hinge of greater events, than have ever arisen 

 from all the other passions of mankind. 



Four months passed away ; four months, I may say, of perfect felicity. 

 It was now the beginning of July ; and it was settled, that the following 

 month, Courtenay and Caroline were to be united. I was equally the 

 friend and confidant of both ; I was the depository of all their little 

 plans ; scarcely was their conversation interrupted by my presence ; and 

 when in the midst of that domestic circle, I raised my eyes to the coun- 

 tenances of the manly youth and the lovely girl, who sat near to each 

 other, and saw the beautiful blending of present deep-felt happiness, 

 with the anticipations of still fuller joy, I wondered at my own foolish 

 fears, that a passion, such as theirs, could ever be prolific in aught else 

 but happiness. 



The memorable 17th of July arrived; on that day the Plague first 

 made its appearance in the town of Gibraltar. I passed that evening 

 at the cottage, and notwithstanding the fearful forebodings that were 

 abroad, we contrived to be gay ; for youth is slow to believe in the pre- 

 diction of evil ; and although my knowledge of the facts might have 

 enabled me to throw a chill over the anticipations of my friends, I for- 

 bore for " sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." 



Next morning, doubt could no longer rest upon the minds of the 

 medical officers, that the plague was amongst us ; and the same day, 

 about noon, orders were issued from head-quarters, that the regiments 

 stationed in Gibraltar should be in readiness in three hours, to evacuate 

 the place, and form an encampment upon the neutral ground ; and the 

 staff (with the exception of the governor) having resolved to accompany 

 the military, the order of course comprehended me. Courtenay was with 



