1831.] The Tutor-Fiend and his Three Pupils.. 253 



" Truly," said he, " an inspired modern sybil ! Your attitude has all 



the eloquence of speechless misery ; and yet, I think, the neck is too 



(she shrunk back.) — So — well improved ! Now, would I were a sculp- 

 tor ! I would carve your image thus, to say my ha! ha! my 



prayers to — a stone ! You would be a fitting partner for my heart. 

 Seek you a human husband. All affections are dead within me — all 

 feeling save one — an eternal and all-consuming pang — the pang of hun- 

 ger — the longing after gold !" 



" You ambitious of such dross ! — you who have " 



" Laughed, mocked at it. My master hath taught me better. IMark 

 me, girl — then shun me. So wild, so universal, is this craving after 

 wealth, that, did I think these yellow locks could, by chemical art, be 

 made to yield one grain of gold — could your heart's last drop be petrified 

 by death into a gem, although I saw beseeching angels kneel around 

 you, I'd lock my hand within your hair — tear forth your living heart — 

 and leave you, tombless, to the birds. Have I not said enough ?" 



He spoke to a senseless image. The girl fell, stricken by misery, to 

 the earth ; and the student pursued his way to the hut of the school- 

 master. 



" How now, son !" said Rapax ; " why thus late ? What have you 

 to shew in exchange for so much time ?" 



" A woman's broken heart," returned Scowl. 



" Ha ! ha !" — and the haggard fiend crowed in the laugh — " put it 

 by with the baubles. — But come, what say you, my lads? — we have tar- 

 ried long enough here ? Are you for moving ? WiU you all foUow 

 me ?" 



" We will !" was the sudden and unanimous response. 



" Then," said tlie master, " prepare to meet me at twelve to-night 

 upon the beach. I have skiff, sail, and compass. By my art I have 

 learned, that where the sun sets is gold ; and thither we will steer. Bid 

 adieu to your friends, and be punctual." 



" Adieu !" muttered Scowl. " As surely as the wave breaks upon the 

 beach, so surely will I be there. For adieus ! — But no matter. I say 

 I will be there." 



" And I," said Topaz. 



" And I," cried Blitheheart, " will but run home to see what I may 

 pick up to help me on the voyage, and then for the ocean." 



The young men departed from the hut ; and the master busied him- 

 self securing his bags of gold, his jewels, with provisions, and all else 

 needful for the enterprize. 



The night came. Scowl was the first at the appointed spot. It was 

 a narrow point, jutting into the sea, which beat over vast fragments of 

 rocks fallen from the surrounding precipices. The night was chilly ; 

 the moon and stars were in the skies — yet there seemed a desolation in 

 the heavens. The heavy beating of the waves was in monotonous 

 accordance with the apathy of his soul, who, seated on the rock, raised 

 his eyes from the deep to the cloud-veiled moon, as though they 

 asked, " f^'hi/ moves this water ?" The moon returns him in mystery to 

 the wave ; and the sea-weed, that listlessly he plucks from the rock, 

 adds to tlie whole riddle, and all is darkness. His existence seemed to 

 ])ause in the question of " What is existence ?" Night seemed again 

 to slied some j)art of its former infhience over him. After vainly ven- 

 turing to search the hidden springs of nature — the wave's motion, tiie 



