

1832.] A Story of the Heart. 683 



turies ! For us, we have oftentimes stood on the utmost height of a 

 green and glorious hill, and there have seen nature's most awful might 

 spread out around us. The vale, the sloping mead, the verdant lawn, the 

 bloomy garden ground, the river, the lake, the slender stream, all blessing 

 and giving glory to the darkness of our thoughts within ; and when the 

 golden sun broke out, we hailed the earth as joyous and happy. We do 

 not know that the cloud was noticed, or the tempest heard to mourn, 

 though in the deep forest its voice might have been heard deploring. We 

 must confess, that when the rain came down, we were taken unawares. 

 Our thoughts were leading on hope, not treading after servile despair. 

 And when the landscape was effaced, the brightness of the heavens gone 

 away, then we could have wept, but that tears were denied. So Delacour 

 had before his eyes some such gorgeous scene ; it was still bright, and 

 without shadow, as if never meant to fade. 



It was a delightful evening at the latter end of summer when, mount- 

 ing his horse, he took his usual way to the mansion of the Sidneys. His 

 easy and fashionable lounge, his fine person, set off by the splendour 

 of his attire, as well as by the beauty of true content there depicted, 

 might alone have attracted the passengers ; but then his steed, as if 

 proud of his duty, contrived by certain coquettish knaveries and ambling 

 graces, to fix the attention. Declacour was born to be admired, " the 

 observed of all observers," and many were the remarks as he passed 

 onward. He had been riding thus for some time, when he was over- 

 taken by an acquaintance. 



" What ! Delacour on the old road again, in spite of the news. Why, 

 Sidney is in the gazette." 



"Impossible," cried Delacour, "I would have wagered my life against 

 it you joke." " Incredulous as a lover," replied the other, "Look and 

 be satisfied.' 7 



The paper was handed to him, a glance was sufficient, and murmuring 

 a hasty adieu, he set spurs to his horse, and was quickly lost to the view ; 

 the cloud of dust that followed his flight, alone told of his passage ; and 

 those who now saw him, pale, agitated, and flying desperately forward, 

 might have well mistaken him for the messenger of more than common 

 woe. A dagger, indeed, could scarcely have caused a greater revulsion of 

 the heart. 



He no sooner entered the house, than the voice of the domestic pro- 

 claimed that something had happened ; he met Mrs. Sidney on the 

 stairs. 



" You will find Emily," said she, " in the drawing-room. This affair 

 has agitated us all you will excuse Mr. Sidney to-night." 



He whispered a polite reply, and hastened forward, but was, for the 

 first time, unheard. Emily was seated at the table, lights were in the 

 room ; she was gazing at something it was his picture, the one he had 

 himself given her ; he drew nearer the lip quivered, and tears were 

 trembling in the eyelids j she sighed and sighed again -, he advanced a 

 step farther, a slight cry escaped her. 



" Oh ! it is you," she exclaimed, but there was something tremulous 

 in the voice, half joy, half anguish : " I knew you would come, that is, 

 I thought you would." " How could I do less than come, when I have so 

 often come before," was the answer. " You are very good," she sighed, 

 " but my father's misfortunes, oh ! Delacour, you can guess my feelings." 



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