folded arms upon the sill, I remained watching the thin and fleecy clouds skimming before the gale, and listening to the faint sounds of mirth which occasionally broke from this very hall. For, I should tell ye, that although no order was given to absent myself from the Christmas revel, then in the height of its fun and glee, yet knowing full well that I should be an unwelcome guest, from my late transgressions, I resolved to keep aloof. There was also a sullen and dogged satisfaction in the feeling that I was showing an independence of spirit; and as the peals of laughter swelled and died upon the breeze, I became vexed and angry, and full of resentment. The knowledge, too, that Mary was there, surrounded by my rivals, inflamed me with jealousy, and the bitterness of my heart momentarily increased.

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Ay," thought I, snapping my fingers in derision, "ye may laugh, dance, and sing, but I'll be mirthful, too."

"That 's well!" exclaimed a voice-and there stood the Stranger close before me,

with his eyes sparkling like the hoar frost in the moonlight, and showing his double row of white teeth from ear to ear. "That 's well, Tom Bright," repeated he. And so you'll be mirthful, too?

I gave no answer; but a tremour seized me, and I felt rooted to the ground, as he echoed my own words.

"And why why not? he continued. "They're merry enough down there, I wot, and don't seem to miss your presence much. I just peeped in, and saw one who might have done so, had not another filled your place so well."

A curse would have burst from my tongue, but that it cleaved to the roof of my mouth.

"I told ye before," said he, "that cursing is of no avail. You might as well, and, for aught I know, a great deal better, bless your enemy, as to waste your breath in maledictions upon him."

There was a silence for a few seconds, and he appeared to be waiting for me to make some remark. I did not, however, do

E

so, and with an impatient gesture, he ejaculated

"Art stricken dumb, Tom Bright?"

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No," replied I, recovering myself.

"Then why not speak to a friend?" rejoined he.

"Because I'm in no humour to hold converse with ye," I returned, surlily.

"Oh yes, you are!" added he, with a laugh," in the "in the very best of humours, Tom Bright. I love to meet a man in such a rich, rollicking, humorous vein. He's ripe for anything."

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'Good night," said I, about closing the window.

Stay," replied he, "we mustn't part thus. You are alone, Tom, and so am I. To-night, friends and kindred hearts draw more closely those bonds together, which the pleasures, the sorrows, and the cares of life are continually casting loose, and bind them with the genial warmth of common sympathy. To-night old feuds, and latent causes for envy, hatred, and malice, are forgotten, and gentle kindliness cements the shivered

fragments of affection. To-night in the calendar of many a heart shall be recorded scenes fraught with hopes and happiness, lasting in memory imperishable. Surely, Tom Bright," continued he, in a soft and winning voice, "you 'll not shut yourself up with your own moody selfishness, and reject a friendly offer to pass a social hour or two?" "I can't," rejoined I; and yet as I spoke I felt my determination wavering.

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"Can't!" repeated he. "Pshaw! Man can do more than he ever has done, and will, when he thinks he can."

"I have an appointment to keep," I returned.

"I know it," added he briefly.

"How?" said I, with mingled fear and

anger.

"There's nothing more easily to be accounted for," responded the Stranger, in a quiet and collected manner. "Men's tongues oftener conceal their thoughts than give expression to them. But from the inward and subtle working of the brain there are reflections to be seen in its prism, as

definitive as if thrown on the surface of a mirror. To one skilled, as I am, in reading the human face, few thoughts are hidden, resolutions formed, passions fostered, or ends to be attained, without my being able to trace them, even in the most cunning and capable of maintaining their close secrecy. It can be no marvel, then, that I should be acquainted with yours."

I scarcely understood this reasoning; but it produced the effect of my losing much of the superstitious fear that I had had towards him.

"I'll be with you by-an'-by," I rejoined. "That's bravely said," returned the Stranger. "Yes, yes; we'll be mirthful, too," continued he, again harping upon my words.

"Listen!" observed I, as a loud shout was now borne towards us on the wind.

"There's no occasion to be very attentive to those sounds," replied he, "unless, indeed, you may discover one voice above the rest more than usually happy."

This, spoken in a jeering tone, stung me deeply.