tion she had vainly sought to expel; and when, even at the time she conceived that no earthly motive could ever tempt her to become the partner of Douglas, she secretly, unknown to herself, cherished the idea, fatal indeed to her future peace, that if his affection for her was truly so strong and ardent as he had expressed, he might still be led at some future period, perhaps not very remote, to discover her even amidst those deep sequestered shades of her present existence, however impenetrable they might appear;—at such moments only, when beguiled by a delusive hope, was she made sensible of an extinction of mental sorrow, so as to leave her free to participate in her sister's accustomed cheerfulness.
The first year of their residence amidst those still haunts had passed with but little interruption from society in general, with the exception of one with whom they had formed a friendly intimacy, and who had proved to them a very desirable acquisition.
It was in a summer evening's walk, replete with charms to our little family, that they chanced to pass a delightful small abode, rendered almost impervious to the sight by the thick foliage surrounding it. Mrs. De Brooke supposed it to be a mile distant from her home, and feeling somewhat fa-
