, 1864-05-30

anu oituOst coluueSS OI nef manner, thai
he was puzzled, as well as surprised. Bu
the eyes of Gavin Douglass experience werI
open; and he had for sometime read-ir
the changing complexion of Catherine
whenever Philip approached her, in tht
embarrassment Of her manner whenever
she addressed him, and in the suppressed
eagerness Of her interest in whatever con
cerned him-that secret which she shrunl
from confessing even to her own heart
Though he dreaded the conScgnence Of al
attachment which he Thought might b.
productive Of only misery and disappoiut
ment, yet he had too much confidence in
Philips honor and discretion to fear any
clandestine avowal of love on his part. HI
wrote to his son Edward in Calcutta, in
forming him Of his suspicious and fear,
as to the state Of GATHERINGS affections
telling him all the particulars of Philip.
history, and leaving it to his own judg
ment to act as he thought circumstances
required.
ain the meantime" wrote he, ~ canno
openly interfere, lest, by striving to remedy
| should only increase the evil; but viii
ehdeavor, quietly and unObtrusively, t
keep the young people apart until | heal
your decision. Ny opinion is, that finaI
separation will be the only means of wean
ing them from each other. Catherine has
fathers home to receive her-when pool
Philip leaves me he leaves his only earthly
protector; and, even formy granddaughter
sake, l cannot part with one whose amia
bic and aifectionate dispositions have rem
dered him dear to me as q son."
The result Of this communication was Q
letter to Catherine, from her father, telling
her that he was obliged to visit England
for few months, on business, and begging
her to hold herself in readiness to accom-
pany him on his return to Calcutta. Phil.
ip had just arrived from abroad when he
received this news; and, as is often the
case, it was not till he feared he was going
to part with Catherine forever, that he fell
how deeply and fondly he loved her. Hc
became restless and unhappy; andwandered
away, day after day, alone, under pretensc
Of seeking amusement in rural sports, but
in reality for the sake Of indulging the sor.
row that was proying upon his mind. HC
Stunned all society, even that Of her whose
image was ever present to him, and absented
himself as much as he possibly could from
the family meetings at meals. His dejec-
ton began to have an evident effect upon
his be ,lth, an1 the kind-hclrtcd Gavin
grieved to see his young iatorite pining un-
der the influence Of his hidden sorrow.
"Philip my son" said he to him one day,
"why have you not confided in me, your
Oldest and dearest friend? | have pene-
trated your secret, Philip, and honor you
for endeavoring to confne it to your own
bosom; but you must rouse all your ener-
gies to shake off the tyranny Of passion
which your high sense Of principle must
tell you cannot safely be INDUCED in, and
is only likely to be productive Of sorrow
and disappointment" lie then proceeded
to remind him delcately Of the cloud that
hung over his birth, of his want Of means
to maintain the woman Of his choice in'com-
fort, and of the absolute necessity for his
strenuous exertions to rise in his profession,
as the only chance Of bettcring his condition
in life; "for though" added the generous
man, "it is my intention to make provision
for you in my will, yet there are so many
claims of relationship upon me, that your
proportion will, fear, be but small"
Philips heart sweled and his eye glis-
tened, as he pressed the old mans hand, in
mute acknowledgements his kindness; and
some moments elapsed ere he could sufh-
ciently command his feelings, to give ex-
preston to them in words. At length, in
broken and hurried accents, he expressed
his heartfelt gratitude; he confessed that
he had long loved Catherine, but said that
he had never "told his love-" hoping that
his prospects might brighten, and that he
might then be enabled 10 prove himself
worthy Of the happiness he sought. He
acknowledged the justice and propriety Of
all Mr.. Douglas said; and expressed his
conviction that it was his duty, however
painful it might be to his feelings, to tear
himself from the society of one whose pres
cnce was so dangerous to his peace, and to
endeayor, however vain that endeavor might
be. for her sake as well as for his own, to
conceal, though he could not stiile, the pas
sion which reigned in his heart. 1t was
agreed upon, between the two friends, that
Philip should employ his time while on
shore in travelling, till his ship was again
ready for sea, and that he should then join
her, without taking leave the second time
Of his friends, except by letter. Poor
Philip could hardly command his feelings,
when taking what he considered to be his
final farewell Of Catherine. He knew that
when he next returned home, Eskhall
would have lost its principal charm in his
eyes-that she would no Longer be there,
and that, in all human probability, they might
never meet again. Catherine only felt, OF
appeared to feel, the uneasiness attending
temporary parting; but hervoice trembled
slightly as, with pale but steady eounte'
nance. she babe him adieuj and leaving the
room with calm though melancholy man.
rer, she hurried to her chamber, and, Sc
curing the door, gave way to the sorrow
which in his presence she had successfully
endeayored to restrain. Timepassed slowly
and heavily with Philip during rambling
tour when he made through different part
Of England and Wales. He fought man,
fully against the sorrow that oppressed
him. aud endcavored, by rapidity Of motion
and constant variation Of scene, TO turn hl'
thoughts into another channel; but in vain
the arrow was fixed too deeply in hli
ho.rt He hurried from place to place, anC