Sometimes, in compliance with entreaties, he would join in chorus, when the mellow bass of his harmonious voice gave an effect surpassing conception. The various, the powerful sentiments that thrilled in his heart breathed rapturously forth, giving energy and expression to his tones.
Often did the wandering shepherd, passing The Bower, hitherto accustomed to the sound only of the village harper, linger in the pathway beyond the plantations, listening to those strains of such inspiring tendency, so enchanting to his rustic senses; and when, at last, the dusk of evening warned him to retire, still resounding through the grove, even though remote and beyond their reach, the sounds in fancy met his ravished ears.
It was after such occasions as these, when returning to the Hermitage unaccompanied by the Doctor, that Philimore traced to their source those powerful sensations by which he was agitated; and poignantly, most sensibly alive did he then feel to the danger attending the encouragement of his passion. Should he take upon himself courage, and fly,—fly from the too fatal, but pleasing snare that enchained him? How could he resolve upon such a step! All other earthly charms or flattering allurements he might resist, but how could he stem the tide of those self-approving, virtuous feel-
