, a winding walk, and seats placed at frequent intervals for the repose of the loungers. During the summer evenings, the place was a

man he had most cause to dread; and Lord Hastings, hearing the sound of a footfall amongst

he came. The reflections of Hastings at that moment were of a nature to augur favourably to the views of the humbler lover; for, during the stirring scenes in which his late absence from Sibyll had been passed, Hastings had somewhat recovered from her influence; and feeling the difficulties of reconciling his honour and his worldly prospects to further prose

few moments your charitable indulgenc

Master Alwyn,-I

y whom,-by the one whom I see

haughtily, "what knowest thou of my m

hen; young as myself, better born, comelier; but she loved him not. I foresaw that his love for her-if love it were-would cease. Methought that her mind would understand mine; as mine-verily I say it-yearned for hers! I could not look on the maidens of mine own rank, and who had lived around me, but what- oh, no, my lord, again I say, not the beauty, but the gifts, the mind, the heart of Sibyll, threw them all into the shade. You may think it strange that I-a plain, steadfast, trading, working, careful man- should have all these feelings; but I will tell you wherefore such as I sometimes have them, nurse them, brood on them, more than you lords and gentlemen, with all your graceful arts in pleasing. We know no light loves! no brief distractions to the one arch passion! We sober sons of the stall and the ware are no general gallants,-we love plainly, we love but once, and we love heartily. But who knows not the proverb, 'What's a gentleman but his pleasure?'-and w

us concluded, were manifold and complicated; but, a

, your words and your thoughts bespeak you no unworthy pretender; but take my counsel, good

ossible! Forget I c

ever abided in a palace; but as it is, brave fellow, learn how these wounds of the heart scar over, and the spot becomes hard and callous evermore. What art thou, Master Nicholas Alwyn," continued Hastings, gloomily, and with a withering smile-"what art thou, to ask for a blis

used and perplexed by the tone and the manner Hastings ad

good jeweller and goldsmith,-enough, surely, in all courtesy, that I yield thee the precedence. Tell thy tale, as movingly, if thou wilt, as thou hast told

r very dress, there was little of that marked distinction between classes which then usually prevailed, for the dark cloth tunic and surcoat of Hastings made a costume even simpler than the bright-coloured garb of the trader, with its broad trimmings of fur, and its aiglettes of elaborate lace. Between man and man, then, where was the visible, the mighty, the insurmountable difference in all that can charm the fancy and captivate the eye, which, as he gazed, Alwyn confessed to himself there existed between the two? Alas!

way. And the trepidation which a fearful but deep affection ever occasions in men of his character, made his mo

d Sibyll, gently, seeing that, though

ning against the rampart, with folded arms; and the contrast of his rival's cold and arrogant indifference, and his own burning veins and bleeding

believe loves you. If so-if he loved thee,-would he stand yonder-mark

nocent surprise,-eyes that asked, plainly as eye

t to fear that that love should prevail with thee; because that love ought to prevail. Sibyll, between us there are not imparity and obstacle. Oh, listen to me,-listen still! Frown not, turn not away." And, stung and animated by the sight of his rival, fired by the excitement of a contest on which

certainty of a man who can command it. Wouldst thou wealth?-be patient (as ambition ever is): in a few years thou shalt have more gold than the wife of Lord Hastings can command; thou shalt lodge more statelily, fare more sumptuously; [This was no vain promise of Master Alwyn. At that time a successful trader made a fortune with signal rapidity, and enjoyed greater luxuries than

ys love. Be soothed. What can I say t

and now. I will wait, tarry, hope,-I care not if fo

e silence of the last, alas! having all the success which the words of the other lacked. It might be said that the choice before Sibyll was a type of the choice ever given, but in vain, to the child of genius. Here a secure and peaceful life, an honoured home, a tranqui

ver cease gratefully to recall thy generous friendship, never cease to pray fervent

think me not if I say this much: not alone for the bliss of hoping for a day in which I might call thee mine have I thus importuned, but, not less-I swear not less-from the soul's desire to save thee from what I

eprove if thou wilt, but lower not my est

as man loves the maiden he would wed, thou deceivest thyself to thine own misery. If thou wouldst prove it, go to him now,-go and say, 'Wilt tho

me-by him?" said Sibyll, in a

nt sickness at his heart, "I can yet be happy in thinking thou art so. Farewell, mai

rapid strides. As he passed the spot where Hastings stood leaning his arm u

ed up to him, and, with a frank, compassionate impulse, laid his hand on his shoulder. "Alwyn," he said, "I have felt what you feel now;

eived man,-the wide world says it,-do not deceive woman! Deeds kill m

e between a mighty nobleman and an obscure goldsmith. His pride was sorely wounded that the latter should have even thought himself the equal of one whom he had proposed, though but in a passionate impulse, to raise to his own state. And y

alas! that had thy humble rival proffered a crown, it had been the same to Sibyll! Oh, how the grief it was mine to cause grieved me; and yet, through

orld's dread and bitter lore of man's frailty and earth's sorrow. Ye are not far separated by ungenial years, and might glide to a common grave hand in hand; but I, olde

ows no age, it foresees no grave! its happiness and its trust behold on the earth but one glory, melting i

and embarrassed, but striving to retain his cruel purpose, "

ngel told me so, I

ves for itself forbade me to fulfil a word hotly spoken; that I could not wed thee,-should I not seem to thee a false wooer, a poor trifler with t

peaker, and gazed on him with wistful and inquiring sadness; then, shrinki

crifice of pride, or the lessening of power-which (she faltered, broke off the sentence, and resumed)- in

n, by thy pride of woman, for

e these ques

tely contrasting the cold and frivolous natures amidst which his lot had fallen, that he recoiled from casting away forever a heart never to be replaced. Standing on that bridge of life, with age be

er firmness forsook her, her head drooped upon

d on for some moments, both in thought, till Hastings said: "Thou lovest me, Sibyll, and art worthy of all the love that man can feel for maid; and yet, canst thou solve me this question, nor chide me that I ask it, Dost thou not love the world and the world's judgments more than me? What is that which women call honour? What makes them shrink from all love that takes not the form and

lf in imagining the reply it must bring; and then Sibyll an

conscience and her God speak in a louder voice than can come from a human lip? The goods and pomps of the world we are free to sacrifice, and true love heeds and counts them not; but true love cannot sacrifice that which makes up love,-it cannot sacrifice the right to be loved below; the hope to love on in the realm above; the power to

n I had seen thee in my

thee!" And in that int

had resolved, "Sibyll,

ewe