12 MYSTERIES OF MEMORY. 



around her slender form ; her head is averted ; tresses of the 

 richest auburn float in glossy ringlets down her neck, shadowing 

 her features with their golden pomp. Her hand reposes in the 

 gentle grasp of one dressed in a garb of green, who appeals to 

 her with touching earnestness ; a rising blush spreads upon her 

 brow and neck till it deepens to the dye of the damask rose, then 

 fades, insensibly, away. The dark-haired stranger puts a ring 

 upon her finger ; it is set with pearls and emeralds — emblems of 

 innocence and hope — on the circle is engraven " Fidelity unto 

 death" — the girl turns, she throws back the wild profusion of her 

 hair, and discloses a face upon which sentiment has placed its 

 noblest stamp. Fifteen summers have scarcely passed above 

 her head, yet the " pale, transparent" hue of thought is spread 

 on brow and cheek ; but her lip is brighter than the brightest 

 rose that ever bloomed beneath the vault of heaven. A faint 

 yet thrilling smile plays round that lip, and tears of tenderness 

 more precious than the flawless diamond, float in her dove-like 

 eyes as she fixes them eloquently, fondly, confidingly upon the 

 speaker. Her gaze is of the moment — again it seeks the ground, 

 and, again, brow, cheek, and neck are dyed with crimson. — Oh ! 

 flower of loveliness ! before thou ^xt forgotten, memory shall have 

 passed into oblivion. * * The vision fleets in air ; 

 another steals upon the void. The wizard wand has conjured 

 up a dazzling hall : the blaze of a thousand lamps illumes the 

 gorgeous scene ; flowers wreathe the painted walls, and perfumes 

 freight the atmosphere with sweets. The voice of song with 

 syren witchery salutes the ear, and music swells the charm — 



" Untwisting all the chains that tie 

 The hidden soul of harmony." 



A gay and festive throng await the opening of the revel. 

 Fairest among the fair appears the garden sylph — the bright 

 unknown. Time has matured her loveliness, and a few revolving 

 months have lent a prouder sweetness to both lip and eye ; the 

 costly robes of fashion float about her graceful form, and pearls 

 gleam around her throat, and peep, like pendant lilies, through 

 her hair. Still those "alluring locks" descend upon her neck; 

 but art has checked the wildness of their display ; and the 

 shining tresses that flowed in simpler days upon her shoulders, 

 are now gathered into a classic knot. All behold her with 

 admiration ; she is conscious of her power — the unresisted power 

 of youth and loveliness — and her pale cheek flushes with 

 emotion. A lucid brilliancy, soft as the star of evening, beams 

 in her trembling glance ; her bosom labours with the dream of 

 conquest — the tones of adulation fall in dulcet murmurs on her 

 ear — she shrinks yet seems to greet the sound, and amidst her 

 rapid blushes, rewards the incense with her priceless smiles. But 

 is the garden all forgotten P and have rarer gems displaced the 



