Lights and Shadows of London Life. 267 



kept your hands off me I would not injure you more than I have 

 done I am sorry that I struck you : the blow was instinctive had 

 you left me the power to think, it had not been given." 



The die had been thrown, the hazard decided ; within an hour the 

 irrevocable step was taken, and two more were added to the fatal 

 list, whereon are written the names of all who have passed that social 

 pale within which there is no return. Situated as they were, it was 

 immaterial whither they went, and the carriage had entered Worthing 

 almost before they were conscious that their journey had begun. 

 " Leslie," said his companion, whose wan look bore testimony that 

 she spoke truly, " let us remain here, at least for a short space I am 

 weary, ill : beside I have much to say that will regulate the future." 

 " Be it so, Jane, dearest," was the reply ; "so that you are with me 

 all places are alike paradise !" 



An untasted dinner had been removed, and they sat together at a 

 window as the last tint of sunset lingered upon the waters. The moon 

 was already up : it was winter, but the queen of night had risen in 

 radiance, while the silver veil that ever and anon threw its folds 

 around her, showed, as it was gracefully withdrawn, earth, heaven, 

 and sea gemmed with her light and glory ! It was an hour for the 

 soul to open itself: in such an one could two beings so placed have 

 kept a thought untold? "You do not, you cannot love that man, 

 my Jane," said Chalcroft, as he gazed upon the fair and gentle 

 creature at his side : " oh, would that you were free that you would 

 be mine I too have much to tell you but were it possible, say that 

 you would be mine own in the sight of Heaven, even as you are in 

 my heart's idolatry." " Oh, Leslie," was her answer, as the rain of 

 bitterness fell fast and scalding, " even that blessing is within my 

 reach, but it kills me to know that it may not, must not be do not 

 question me now, all shall be told you to-night now we return home 

 nay, do not start, you will find none there that you would avoid. 

 I have cared for that yes, Leslie, I am free ! and though it be 

 denied me ever to be yours, it is at least spared me to feel the 

 passing wretchedness of being his wife!" 



As they prepared for their return the moon shone out in lustrous 

 effulgence, the clear frosty sky glittered with its countless gems : it 

 was a night of loveliness. "Come, dearest," said Chalcroft, ap- 

 proaching the sofa on which his gentle associate was at the moment 

 occupied with an open volume, "come, it is time that wejshould go ; 

 let me put your cloak around you." She arose, and pointed to the 

 page she had been reading. "Love," she said, "did I ever tell you 

 that beside your favourite Jane that too was my name ?" He looked 

 it was JEMIMA. Chalcroft shuddered, with an unsteady hand he 

 placed her cloak upon her shoulders, and drew its folds together. 

 A mirror, placed so as to reflect the view from the ample window, 

 stood in front of them as they turned to leave the room. He raised 

 his eyes to it, paused, gazed again, essayed to move, he was as a 

 form of stone : his sight grew dim a rushing as of mighty waters 

 filled his hearing the icy dew of the grave stood upon his brow 

 " the fire that never quencheth" had entered into his soul. 



