Year: 1867

CONTINUED.


Honoria followed her mother to the door, and
when she had disappeared, turned the key in the
lock. She then quickly drew from her bosom a
paper, which she read with hurried attention, by
the lights in the tall silver candlesticks.


This paper was note from Innis, which his ser
want had brought on the day before, and ran as
follows


s'I am about to leave Virginia forever, but be-
fore 20, must see you once more or die OF despair
I cannot accept the invitation have received, to
Haddon 1t would kill me to be present when you
become Lady Ruthven, and some other means
must be devised. The time and place leave to
yourself


II have written these words calmly See, there
is not blot for have no tears. The time when
tears could relieve me has passed, and am firm
II can write no more; am faint. My servant
Will bring back your reply. EDMUND INNS.
The young lady had written in answer to this
note:


ssIcannot possibly meet you before the night of
my marriage. Then will meet you. Come to
the arbor beneath the oak tree near the stlle, at
ten o'clock, and wait for me-


HoNoR1A."
These were the words which the young lady had
written and sent back to Innis. In the tumult Of
her feelings, she forgot the bitter cold, the cruel
snow, the almost utter mpossibiity Of keeping the
appointment without discovery.


All these prudential considerations had disap-
peared before the one controlling thought that she
must see Edmund, for the last time, where no eye
could witness their parting-where no ear, could
hear the final words of agony


A. ~ La, pofo md
reflected upon the nature of her reply, her heart
sank within her. and she shuddered, in anticipation
at the thought that some curious eye might see
her meeting with Innis For the first time she re-
allied the perilous nature of the appointment, the
terrible scandal it would give rise to, if discovered
and the risk she ran of exposing her character to
the most unworthy and degrading aspersions.


The girls checks grew paler than ever as she
sat, gazing with wild and vacant eyes, upon the
paper, but as the words again caught her wander
ing gaze the color returned to her cheek her eyes
filed with tears, and murmuring: "Oh l will go
Il will not disappoint him-I will risk every dan
ger rather than wound himp' she replaced the
paper in her bosom, and rose to her feet


At the same moment, steps were heard at the
door, and the bridesmaids called her. She ad,
mitted them, and with composed countenance,
declared herself ready for the ceremony.


XVIII. '..


THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE BRIDE.


The crowd divided, right and left, at the foot o.
the great staircase; and the splendid bridal party
descended slowly, the ample satin trains of the
young ladies sweeping the polished oak.


The bride and the groom came last.


Honoria was very pale, but quite calm; and did
net seem to require the arm which Lord Ruthver
extended for her support The young neblemar
was paler even than the bride, and the smile upon
his lips was evidently forced. Many persons OBJ
served this, and spoke afterwards Of the singular
look which he threw over his shoulder, but, at the
moment, these things were not alluded to. Mirtt
and careless rejoicing were the order of the hour
The bridal train entered the great drawing room
and in the midst of deep silence, the clergyman
voice, the marriage ceremony. Honoria simply
bowed her head, and moved her hps in the re-
sponses, and prayer ended the whole.


Honoria Brand was thenceforth, My Lady
Ruthven.'


Then the uproar, universal upon such occasions
commenced and the young lady found her lips in
vaded by hundreds Of friends OF both sexes; th'
fashion of the period being for every knsman ane
kinswoman, nay, all who were on familiar term
with young lady, to Salute her on her mar
riage. Whether the gallants carried it so far upor
the present occasion as to 'kiss every girl in the
room'-a ceremony which an aged gentleman IN
formed us he had often performed at weddings
we know not but the merriment and uproar wert
mbounded.


Lord Ruthven received the congratulations o.
all, with gracious courtesy and elaborate smiles
But was very plain that these smiles were forced
When left fora moment to himself, his countenanct
resumed its old expression Of haunting gloom, anc
the strange look over his shoulder returned, as il
were, unconsciously.


Thus sped the moments, and the hour appointed
for supper drew near. This was set in the grea
dining room, with all that inexhaustible protusol
of every imaginable edible and liquid, then, ever