Year: 1859

|along the passages and up the stairs to her own
room, locked the door.


go, cannot bear it, l cannot bear it ~
The poor thing burst out aloud, clasping her
little fingers, and pressing them back against
her forehead, as if she wanted to break them.


Then she walked hurriedly up and down the
room.


"And this must go on for days and days,
and must see it,"


She looked about nervously for something to
clutch. There was muslin kerchief lying on
the table she took i. up and tore it into shreds
as she walked up and down and then pressed it
into hard balls in her hand.


And Anthony" she thought, he can dc
this without caring for what feel. O, he can
forget everything; how he used to say he loved
mellow he used to take my hand in his as we
walked-how he used to stand near me evenings
for the sake of looking into my eyes,


"Oh, it is cruel she burst out again aloud
as all those love-moments in the past returned
upon her. Then the tears gushed forth, she
threw herself on her knees by the bed, and
sobbed bitterly.


She did not know how long she had been
there, till she was startled by the yer-bell
when thinking Lady Cheverel might perhaps
send some one to enquire after her, she rose,
and began hastily to undress, that there might
be no possibility Of her going down again. She
had hardly unflstened her hair, and thrown a
loose gown about her, before there was knock
at the door, and Mrs Sharp's voice said-' Miss
Tina, my lady wants to know if you're ILL.,.


Caterna opened the door and said, Thank
you, dear Mrs Sharp have a bad headache
please tell my lady felt it come on after sing
ing"


Then goodness me! why arn't you in bed
istid O. standing shivoring there, fit to catch
your death. Come, let me fasten up your hail
and tuck you up warm"


90 no, thank you l shall really be in bed
very soon. Goodnight, dear Sharpy; dom
scold; will be good, and get into bed"


Caterina kissed her old friend coaxngy, bu
Mrs. Sharp was not to be @ come over" in tha
way, and insisted on seeing her former charge
in bed, taking away the candle which the pool
child had wanted to keep as a companion.


But it was impossible to lie there long will
that beating heart; and the little white fgur'
was soon out of bed again, seeking relief in th'
very sense of chill and uncomfort. 1t was ligh
enough for her to see about her room, for th,
moon, nearly at full, was riding high in tn,
heavens among scattered hurryng clouds Ca
tina drew aside the window-curtain; and. sit
ting with her forehead pressed against the COLI
pane, looked out on the wide stretch of parl
and lawn.


How dreary the moonlight is F.! robbed of al
its tenderness and repose by the hard driving
wind. The trees are harassed by that tossing
motion, when they would like to be at rest; tn
shivering grass makes her quake with sympa
thetic cold and the willows by the pool, ben
low and white under that invisible harshness
seem agtated and helpless like herself. Bu
she loves the scene the better for its sadness
there is some pity in it. Itisnpt like that hare
unfeeling happiness of lovers, Haunting in tn
eyes of misery.


She set her teeth tight against the window
frame and the tears fell thick and fast Sh
was so thankful she could cry for the mad pas
sion she had felt when her eyes were dry, fright
ened her. If that dreadful feeling were to COM
on when lady Cheverel was present, she shoul'
never be able to contain herself.


Then there was Sir Christopher-so good tt
her-so happy about Anthony marriage; ant
all the while she had these wicked feelings


90, cannot help it, cannot help 1t - sh
said in loud whisper between her sobs. sc
God have pity upon me !"


In this way Tina wore out the long hours o
the windy moonlight, till at last with wear.
aching limbs she lay down in bed again, an'
slept from mere exhaustion.


While this poor little heart was being bruiset
with q weight to heavy for it, Nature was hold
ing on her calm inexorible way, in unmovet
and terrible beauty. The stars were rushing il
their eternal courses the tides swelled to th
level of the last cxpectant weed the sun WA
making brilliant day b busy nations on th
other side Of the swift earth The stream 0
of human thought and deed was hurrying ant
broadening onward The astronomer was at hi
telescope; the great ships were labouring ovel
the waves; the toiling eagerness of commerce
the fierce spirit of revolution, were only ebblne
in brief rest; and slcepless statesmen werc
dreading the possible crisis of the morrow
What were our little Tina and her trouble il
this mighty torrent, rushing from one awful un
known to another? Lighter than the smallcs
centre of quvering life in water-drop bidder
and uncared for us the pulse of anguish in thu
breast of the finest bird that has futtered dowr
to its nest with the long-sought food, and ha
found the nest torn and empty,