tHE WATCH-TOWER OF KOAT-VEU. 69 



the walls the shreds of moss and sea- weed which he stores against the 

 winter. 



Occasionally too, amidst the fantastic angles of the black rock, might 

 be seen a white sail gilded by the sun, peep, sweep by, and then dis- 

 appear, like recollections of love and youth which brighten some- 

 times in a soul withered and aged before its time. 



But this gloomy silence is suddenly interrupted. Rapid footsteps 

 re-echo through the spiral stair which leads to the upper apartments ; 

 the door of the principal apartment opens violently, and a man en- 

 ters, exclaiming, " 'Tis her!" and throws himself into the arm-chair. 



This man appeared to be at most five and twenty years of age ; his 

 long chestnut hair without powder, in place of being confined behind, 

 as was the fashion of the time, flowed loosely upon his shoulders. 



His brow was white and elevated, his eyes large and expressive, 

 nose taper and well proportioned, lips thin, and his rounded chin was 

 so fresh and so tinted, his complexion so delicate, that many of the 

 softer sex would have envied him his handsome face. 



Some slight folds at the angle of the eye might perchance have 

 declared a gay and joyous character, had not the deep wrinkles 

 which furrowed suddenly the forehead of this young man given an 

 expression of suffering and sadness to his charming countenance. 



His simple costume, of a dark colour, displayed the elegance of his 

 figure ; but by the rigid plainness of its form resembled the ecclesi- 

 astic dress. 



He rested his head upon one of his hands, his features became 

 more and more pale as he turned over the pages and read with me- 

 ditation and attention an enormous quarto, with clasps of copper, 

 which lay open upon the table. 



The abstraction in which he was plunged must indeed have been 

 great, for the door of the apartment was opened without appearing 

 in the least to arouse his attention. 



And the duchess of Almeda appeared at this door. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE Duchess stood for an instant upon the sill of the door ; then, 

 loosing and removing her hat, she placed it upon a seat, and advanced 

 so lightly, and so near, so near to the young man, that her cheek al- 

 most touched his cheek, so much was he absorbed in his reverie. 



Curious to examine what could engage so entirely his attention, 

 she advanced her head, and saw her own portrait her portrait 

 sketched in pencil, and an admirable likeness. Unutterable delight ! 

 Celestial joy ! She saw also recent traces of tears. 



Then, as if by a sudden movement of pride, the beautiful duchess 

 raised her head, her pallid cheeks became flushed, and an inconceiva- 

 ble expression of happiness and of pride lighted up her brow : there 

 was perhaps a thought of disdain which knit her lips, and chastened 

 the regard which she cast upon the young man with effeminate fea- 

 tures and delicate form, when lowering her long brown eyelashes, 

 and crossing her arms upon her breast, she towered above him by her 

 tall and noble stature, which her riding-habit contributed still more 

 to increase. 



