CHAPTER XV. "Thou watchful taper, by whose silent light, CONGREVE. WHEN Benjamin reached the verge of the enclosure before his uncle's house, he paused to call up all his courage-and then to listen-for he heard a voice-Harriet's Another voice, playfully repeating her words-Is it an echo from the world of spirits? Has she whom he deemed but "a being of the mind," come hither to mock him? He started forward to the gate, and beheld on the grass-plot two well known forms-wondrous sport of destiny! They, whose names written together seemed potent as a spell to call up, or to lay contending passions; they in bodily presence, stood before him side by side- Harriet and Eugenia!. Happily, he was not seen. He retreated a few steps hidden by the hedge, until he reached a tree, against which he leaned. He' needed support. He threw off his hat-he thrust his clenched fist into his bosom, pressing it heavily on his heart to quiet what was going on there. The paroxysm ended in unconsciousness. When he recovered, he was lying at the foot of the tree; from a branch overhead gushes of melody came from the throat of a nightingale, and in the firmament above, the crescent moon, with a bright planet by her side, shone with a soft enchanting lustre. Could he not forget himself when so much of heaven was thus revealed to him? No. For he heard only the two voices which had startled him-saw only the two faces from which he had fled. With such a sigh as one might abandon life, he returned to it and arose. He staggered at first, but soon regaining strength, he passed the house; no one was to be seen-doors and windows were closed. After a long walk, he scarcely knew whither, he returned to Kitty's. All there had retired to rest except herself; for, after having had a discussion about Benjamin with her husband, she waited up for him with a determined purpose of testifying her respect and admiration. She had asserted that young Mr. Hardy would be a nice match for either one or other of the ladies at old Mr. Hardy's. Will could not agree to that he had still a sort of grudge against Benjamin about his uncle's losses. Kitty flamed up in his defence, declaring that he was very handsome, and fit for any lady. And as to gentlemen, she had seen them, she supposed, at the Castle, and ought to know? And she had never seen any lord or marquis more quiet and stately than young Mr. Hardy was, that very day. In short, Kitty having a matrimonial scheme in her head, was not to be silenced; and Will, as what was safest, yielded to her reasons, and beat a retreat. How then, was Benjamin's admirer startled, when opening the door for her "handsome gentleman," the light of a candle which she held fell upon his features. So pale, so haggard, so worn, so dowrcast, he was, that all his good looks had fled. "Dear me, sir!" she exclaimed, " you are ill." "I am," he replied, "I have been so ill that I did not go to my uncle's. I thought it best to wait till the morning, when I shall be better, I know; I shall go to bed at once.” " She said that he had done what was kind in not alarming the good old gentleman. But now, what could she do for him? Nothing-nothing; he refused all her offers. However, she slipped up after him to his room with a biscuit and a glass of wine, which she placed on his table. "It is some of our kind master's best wine which he left us-you must take it, sir." He thanked her said he was sure he should be better after he had slept; and she left him. After he had slept? Yes. But it was long before he slept. He saw like the poet the timid flame of his taper fade away in the light of day, and still his weary eyes refused to close. But at last, he slumbered. It was only for an hour-again they opened |