light in her hand; another, in whom I thought I recognised the features of our old attendant, beckoned me, with tears in her eyes, into the well-remembered parlour, where everything remained unaltered; with the exception of the little work-tables, all of which had been removed but one. She placed before me some cold meat and wine, begged I would excise them if things were not in order, and left the room, which my friend at the same moment entered. a
“He embraced me with an agitation, a melting tenderness, he had seldom before manifested.
“You come,’ said he, “unexpected, but not unwelcome, I have been thinking of you for some days past, and was wishing for your presence even while you were on your way.“
“Then a, still with a feeling of disorder.
“the right time is come? Speak on, then; tell me all!) -
“The time,’ replied he, is ly yet the moment, I see by your , your shuddering, that the dark fate which sits upon our house has agitated you too deeply at present to admit of a calm and unprejudiced consideration of the subject. Summon your mind, eat, drink, return to your inn. I will, not ask you to tarry longer in the house of death; although—I hope— Death has now knocked at our door for the last time for a long period to come. Go and compose yourself. That God should visit the sins of the fathers on the children, seems. a harsh, a Jewish sentence;—that nature transmits to posterity the consequences of the weaknesses or guilt of the parent, sounds milder, and looks more true:—but, alas! the consequences are the same. No more of this.’
“I drank but a single glass of wine, which, in truth, I needed, and betook myself to my inn. I took the picture, which still wore, from my neck, but I did not open it. I was over wearied, and, in spite of the over excitement of my mind, I soon dropt asleep.
“The smiling beams of the morning sun, as I awoke, poured new life and composure into my soul. I thought of our confidential conversation in the carriage, in which, unknown to herself, my fair companion had displayed the beauty of her mind, and I could not forbear smiling at the feelings of terror and distrust which my heated fancy had infused into my mind in regard to her and to the picture. It lay before me on the table, innocent as herself, with its bright loving eyes turned upon me, and seemed to whisper, “ I am neither Jacoba, nor Lucia.’ I took out my friend's letter, which conveyed. the same assurance; calm understanding seemed to resume its ascendancy in my heart; and yet, at times, the
a moment to my mind.
“I hurried, not without painful impatience, as soon as I was dressed, towards the desolate mansion of my friend. He had been waiting me for sometime, advanced to meet me with a cheerful look, when I found his sister composed, but in deep mourning, and with an expression of profound grief, seated at the breakfast-table.
“She extended her hand. to me with a melancholy, but kindly smile; and yet I drew back with oppressive sensation at my heart, for (he picture stood before me more perfect in resemblance than it had appeared to my excited fancy the evening and was, more piktieea eons footers her brother’s. request, to visit some of her young acquaintances whom she had not seen for a long time before, I gazed after, her with a look, the "Eira word showed it his rst ese. words showed that this was said he, “you have “the.original, or the heoweny he picture, which is an enigma even to myself, even though it bethe work of my own. hands. I knew. well--that her) aspect of spotless. purity would at ence banish every feeling of distrust from your mind, asjt-has done from mine. If the picture be still dear to you— if you.can love her and gain her affection, she is yours; but. first listen to that which I have so long withheld from you. You must judge, after hearing it, whether-you are still inclined as freely to.accept the offer...We shall-be unin- terrupted from without; and do not you interrupt me,’ said he, as he drew the bolt of the door, and seated himself by my side.
Mysterious as every thing is apt to appear, which ordinary experience does not enable us to explainjdo not expect.to hear any thing more wonderful. in. this case than admits of a simple explanation, when tried by the test of cold and sober reasoning. ..My father, without being dis- posed to talk much on the subject was a believer in dreams—that is to say, he frequently dreamt of events which were afterwards actually fulfilled; and in fact, in such cases, his presentiments were rarely, erroneous. While’ a candidate, for in- stance, for a church, he used to be able in this way to foresee, from a and undefinable, but yet distinct feeling, wl he should be called upon to preach for any of the clergymen in the neighbourhood. He dey 3 seen himself, on such occasions, in the pulpit, and often, at waking, could recollect long passages from those ideal sermons he had delivered. In other matters, he was of a lively and cheerful turn of
first he had no children. with my mother, a stranger, only y before come into the country--very pretty, very poor—and whose gay.but innocent manner,yhad been my father’s chief attraction. She was passionately fond of dancing, an amusement for which the annual bird-shooting, the vintage feasts, and the balls given by the surrounding nobility on their estates in the neighbourhood, afforded frequent opportunities, and in which she participated rather
