Page:Twice-Told Tales (1851) vol 2.djvu/60

 'Farewell, Jervase Helwyse!' said she. 'Keep my image in your remembrance, as you behold it now.'

'Alas, lady!' he replied, in a tone no longer wild, but sad as a funeral bell. 'We must meet shortly, when your face may wear another aspect—and that shall be the image that must abide within me.'

He made no more resistance to the violent efforts of the gentlemen and servants, who almost dragged him out of the apartment, and dismissed him roughly from the iron gate of the Province House. Captain Langford, who had been very active in this affair, was returning to the presence of Lady Eleanore Rochcliffe, when he encountered the physician, Doctor Clarke, with whom he had held some casual talk on the day of her arrival. The Doctor stood apart, separated from Lady Eleanore by the width of the room, but eyeing her with such keen sagacity, that Captain Langford involuntarily gave him credit for the discovery of some deep secret.

'You appear to be smitten, after all, with the charms of this queenly maiden,' said he, hoping thus to draw forth the physician's hidden knowledge.

'God forbid!' answered Doctor Clarke, with a grave smile; 'and if you be wise you will put up the same prayer for yourself. Wo to those who shall be smitten by this beautiful Lady Eleanore! But yonder stands the Governor—and I have a word or two for his private ear. Good night!'

He accordingly advanced to Governor Shute, and addressed him in so low a tone that none of the bystanders could catch a word of what he said; although the sudden change of his Excellency's