Year: 1874

lived happily in the house of my relative,
satisfied with the ordinary pursuits of a coun-
try gentleman. Time had long since cured
me OF my bOyish infatuation for the nursery
governess. could revisit with perfect COM
posure the paths along which we had walked
the lake on which we had sailed together.
Hearing by chance that she was married In
her own country, L could wish her all posi-
BILE happiness, with the sober kindness of a
disnterested friend. What strange thread
of irony runs through the texture of simple
human life! The early love for which l had
sacrificed and suffered so much was now re-
vealed to me, in its true colors, as BOYS
passing fancy-nothing more!


Three years of peaceful freedom passed !;
freedom which, on the uncontradcted testi
mony of respectable witnesses, I never
abused. Well! that long and happy interval,
like all intervals, came to an end-and then
the great misfortune of my life fell upon me.
One of my uncles died and left me inheritor
of his whole fortune. alone, to The excIu-
sion of the other heirs, now received, not
only the large income derived from the es-
tates, but seventy thousand pounds in ready
money as we'll.


The vile calumny which had asserted me
to be mad was now revived by the wletches
who were interested in stepping between me
and my inheritance. A year ago was sent
back again to the asylum in which I had
been last imprisoned. The pretense for con-
lining me was found in an 'act of violence
las it was called) which had committed in
momentary outbreak of anger, and which
it was acknowledged had led to no serious
results. Having got me into the asylum, the
conspirators proceeded to complete their
work. A Commission in Lunacy was issued
against me. 1t was held by one Commits
sioner, without a jury, and without the pres
ence OF lawyer to assert my interests. By
one mans decision was declared to be of
unsound mind. The custody of my person,
as well as the management of my estates,
was confided to men chosen from among the
consprators who had declared me to be mad.
am here through the favor Of the proprietor
OF the asylum, who has given me my holiday
at the seaside, and who humanely trusts me
with my liberty, as you see. At barely thirty
years old, 1 am refused the free use of my
money, and the free management of my
affairs. At barely thirty years old, am
officially declared to be lunatic for life."


He paused; his head sank on his breast !;
his story was told.


have repeated his words as nearly as
can remember them; but I can give no idea
of the modest and touching resignation with
which he spoke. To say that pitied him
WIN my "hoic uSdlC Is 10 say HOtnlnS. l
loved him with my whole heart, and may
acknowledge it now.


"Oh, Mr.. Cameron" said as soon as l.
could trust myself to speak. ''can nothing be
done to help yon? Is there no hope?"


"There is always hope," he answered
without raising his head. 81 have to thank
you Miss Brading, for teaching rae that"


II am glad 20 hear it." said. "How have
taught you to hope?"


.'You have frightened my dreary life.
When am with you all my bitter remem.
and happy man can always hope. dream
now of finding what have never yet had
dear and devoted friend who will rouse the
energy that has sunk in me under the mar
tyrdom that l have endured. Why do SUBJ
init to the loss OF my rights and my liberty
without an effort to recover them? l was
alone in the world until met with you. I
had no kind hand to raise me; no kind voice
TO encourage me. Shall ever find the hand?
Shall ever hear the voice? When am
with you the hope that you have taught me
answers, Yes. When am by myself the old
despair comes back, and SAYS, No."


He lifted his head for the first time. If
had not understood what his words meant,
his look would have enlightened me. The
tears came into my eyes; my heart heaved
and fiuttered wildly; my hands mechanically
tore up and scattered the grass round me.
The silence became uncomfortable. I spoke,
hardly knowing what was saying; tearing
faster and faster at the poor harmless grass,
as if my whole business in life was to pull up
the greatest quantity in the shortest possible
space of time!


I'VE have only known each other little
while," said, sand a woman is but weak
ally in such terrible position as yours. But
useless as may be, count on me now and
always as your friend-''


He moved close to me before 1 could say
mora, and took my hand. He murmured in
my ear:


''May count on you, one day. as the near
est and dearest friend of all? will YOU for
give me, Mary, if I own that | love you2
You have taught me to love, as YOU have
taught me to hope. 1t is in your bower to
tighten my bard lot. You can recompense
me for all that have suffered; uou can
rouse me TO struggle for my freedom and my
rights. Be the good angel Of my life. For
give me, love me, rescue me-be my wife!'


don't know how it happened. l found
myself in his arms-and l answered him in
KISS: Taking all the circumstances into
eepting him, of the rashest act that ever
woman committed. Very good. / didn't
care then-I don't care now. was then,
ana am now, the happiest woman living!


CHAPTER VII.


1t was necessary that either he or 1 should
Tell my iather of what had passed between
US. On reflection, thought it best that
should make the disclosure. The day after
the pane repeated to my father Rcland's
melancholy narrative, as a necessary preface
to the announcement that had promised to
be Roland's wife.


My father saw the obvious objections to the
marriage. He warned me Of imprudence
which 1 contemplated committing in the
strongest terms Our prospect of happiness,
if we were married, would depend entirely on
our capacity to legally supersede the proceed
ings Of the lunacy commission. Success in
this arduous undertaking was, to say the
least of it, uncertain. The commonest pru-
den e pointed to the propriety of delaying the
marriage until the doubtful experiment had
R0en put to the proof.