Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/24

 journey j and it happened most fortunately that her place of destination I instantly offered “her a Almost without looking at): youth, which, at anoth would probably have occasioned some difficulty; she~ instantly’ accepted my offer with such visible joy, that I perceived at once that her mind-was occupied -by a nobler and more engrossing feeling than any calculation of propriety. The horses arrived r sooner than “I’ ex; and ere’ it was wholly dark we were in the carfiage. “The increased rapidity'and comfort of the mode of travelling,'the certainty that before mid- night she would reach the goal of her wishes, had disposed her to be communicative; and ere we. proceeded a league; I learned, to my great. “ i t, that my travelling: companion was the youngest sister of my friend, who had for years been brought up in the capital, whom I had seen for an instant when a child, and whom, under that appellation, my friend had locked so tenderly in his parting embrace. She told-me that the sudden illness of her father had shocked and agitated her extremely; that her brother had written to her that he was still in life, but that’ there were no hopes of his recovery; and finding an unexpected opportunity by means of the ve- hicle which was’ returning fo her native place, she had felt unable to withstand the temptation or rather the irresistible longing which impelled her, without her brother’s knowledge, and “con- trary, as she feared, to her relations’ wishes, to see her beloved father before he died.

“I told her my name, which’she recognised at once as that of a friend whom her brother had often mentioned to “her, and thus a confidential” fuoting was established between us, which I took care not to impair by impertinent enquiries. I could not even, while she was under my protec- tion, obtain a single glance of her face. “Calmer consideration probably suggested to her, how easily our travelling together might afford roont for scandal; so when We crosséd the ferry towards the little island, she did not leave the carriage; and when we reached the town at a pretty late hour, she laid hold of my hand, as T'was directing the postilion to go on, “and said hastily, “Let me” alight here. This Street, near the bridge, leads across the churchyard to our house. TI fear to see or to speak to any one.’

I will accompany you, saidI. “I willsur- prise my friend.’ I made the postilion stop, directed him to the inn, and we alighted. The maiden leant upon my arm; I felt bled violently, and had need of su

thé parsonage. Through the

blustering and rainy autumnal “night, several windows, dimly lighted, and shaded by curtains, were visible. The gate, leading to the other side of the house was merely to. The court was empty; every one seemed busy within. The win- dows on this side Were all dark. I saw’ by the inequality of my companion’s step how much her anxiety was increasing.

“We hurried across thé court, and entered the little narrow passage of the house, which was also unlighted. We stood for 4 moment drawing our breath, and “listening. From the farthest chamber on the leff®we heard a rustling noise, and the sownd’of whispering voices. A broad streak of “light; which Streamed from the half- opened door into the passage, was darkened oc-

i y by the shadows of persons moving ithin. “lt is my sister’s toom,’ whispered’ my condtctress, and darted towards it. I followed her hastily. But whata sight awaited ust

“The corpse of a young maiden had just been lifted out 6f bed, and placed on a bier adjoining. A white covéring concealed the body even to the chin. Several elderly females were employed in

-up the dong dark tresses of the deceased;

others were standing by inactive, or occu- pied ia removing the phials and medicines from the'table." ated

“My companion had thrown back her veil at entéring, and stood as if rooted to the spot. Even

" the unexpected shock she had encountered, could

not banish from her cheek the glow with which anxiety and exercise had tinged it; may, the fire of her eye’seemed to have acquired a deeper and more piercing lustre. “So stood she, the blooming representative of the very fulness of life, beside the’ pallid victim’ of inexorable Death. “The startling contrast dgitated me the more, that in those well-known features I traced, in renovated beauty, those of the enchanting portrait; scarce- ly-master of my sénises, I almost believed that I saw again the same maiden who, two hours before, had fascinated me in the Frederick’s Hospital, when, all at once, half ~turning to me, she exclaimed,“O, my poor sister Lucia!’

“Lucia!"—the name’ fell “upon me like a stroke of lightning.” So, then, she whom [ had last seen in the glow of Jife and beauty, lay before me cold in death! What assurance could I have, that the fair vision which still flitted before me,’ blooming with health, and life, and grace, was not the mére mask whder which some spectre had shrouded: itself; or round which the King of Terrors had alréady’ wound his invisible but un- relaxing arm! “The figures in the Dance of Death involuntarily flashed upon’ my miad.~.My yery existénce seemed to dissolve ina col shud- det. I saw, scarcely’ constious “of what was’ going on, and as if'in a dream, the living beauty draw near to the corpse; momentarily expected to see the dead *maiden throw “her arms’ around her, and to’ see het fadé away into’a spectre in that ghastly embrace, when my friend; who had™ appareritly beef su the women, pale, and almost distracted, rushed inj and tore “her ~ from the corpse; exelaiming,“Hence, thought- less creature! Wilt thou murder us both?— Away from this pestiferous neighbcurhéod! If you will Jook upon-the dead, come to the couch of our honotred father, whose gentle features seem (6 ifivoke a blessing upon us, even in death.’ . a She followed him uhresistingly; weeping “in silence. An old servant led the way; with a