This enabled him to prolong his stay at Penruthven nearly a week beyond the specified fortnight. Lady Stanley would fain have persuaded him to change his plans, and Lucy was perfectly aghast at the idea of his still declaring his determination of abiding by his first decision; but Ella, to whose judgment he finally appealed, encouraged and strengthened him in his purposes. She knew-none better-what it cost him to keep his promise; the terrible struggle between love and duty which had taken place within him ere he could resolve on tearing himself away from her, and though the recollection of the fast-approaching separation loomed darkly before her, and filled her affectionate heart with the keenest anguish, she was too thoroughly conscientious and unselfish to wish to prevent him from following that line of conduct which it seemed right for him to pursue. When Sir Edward, however, pleaded that at least the time of his absence should be shortened, Herbert readily agreed to do his utmost towards getting it reduced from three to two years. 66 The thought of you will make me work harder, and better, too, I hope," he said, turning to Ella as she made this admission. "Two years will soon glide away," he continued, smiling upon her with a depth of untold love and tenderness, "and then-ah, Ella! how full of joy will be our reunion!" And Ella answered him not; but her bright head was nestling against his shoulder, and her soft, shy eyes looked up at him through happy glistening tears, and she almost forgot the intervening years of separation while listening to the glowing pictures he began to draw of their future and prospective felicity. * The parting came, but of that I may not speak. "Never yet Hath the full portrait of a man appeared, And never yet hath dearest bosom friend Known all that passed in his companion's soul. Sir Edward accompanied Herbert to Gravesend, where they found James Gordon and Albert Snapson awaiting them; the latter having, in spite of the precautions they had taken to keep the matter a secret from him, discovered whither Gordon was bound, and insisted on going with him to see Herbert off. The sun shone brightly, and the sea looked calm and peacefully disposed, when Herbert, after bidding farewell to those firm and faithful friends, and watching with tear-dimmed eyes the swiftly receding boat, as it conveyed them to the shore, took refuge in his cabin. That day, and the three succeeding ones, everything went well; and captain and crew agreed in promising themselves a fair and prosperous voyage. Alas! the unfortunate Burdwan was, as we have elsewhere seen, doomed to complete destruction, and her hapless passengers plunged into a watery grave. No words of mine could do justice to the scene that followed; I will, therefore, without dwelling upon any of its harrowing details, which are unhappily too well understood, and too vividly impressed upon every imagination to need repeating, appropriate a few lines of an exquisite poem by the Rev T. A. Holland, thrillingly commemorative of a similar catastrophe which occurred some years previously— "'Twas twilight; and the pall of eve descended, Gemmed by the radiance of no twinkling star; Or portent dire their happy hour to mar: When sudden came the crash, like thunder pealing, And she, like drunkard, on the water reeling, Her gallant trim while fluttering to regain, Staggered, whirled round, and foundered in the main. "The wave is rolling o'er them!-so it rolled All into vision of what now is dark, And kindle into light each heaven-born spark! CHAPTER LXXXVII. A RENEWING OF THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS. "Turn we a retrospective thought To scenes and actions long gone by; All intervenient things the while Subside, as though they ne'er had been, As though their date were but yestreen." REV. T. A. HOLLAND. "This wandering, ever longer, evermore, And I know not on what shore E. B. BROWNING. I may rest from my despair." They're seen just to the surface; It was a cool evening towards the end of autumn. The dusky shadows of twilight had long since gathered around the ancient town of Lanchester, and the crowded streets were almost deserted the hum of business having ceased, and peace and quietness succeeded the usual noise and turmoil of the place. Suddenly a gentleman with grey hair, a worn and peculiarly hopeless expression upon his pale face, and a figure which seemed to have become prematurely bent and shrunken, slowly descended the steps of one of the best hotels, and entering a handsome equipage which stood ready for him, ordered the coachman to drive to the house of Sir Edward Stanley. "This is the place, sir," said a footman, coming to the door, as the carriage stopped in front of a large, semi-detached, half-country, halftown residence; "shall I ring the bell?" "No, I will do that myself," replied the gentleman, in a tone which spoke of habitual sadness. And stepping out to the carriage with the same slow and languid air as he had entered it, he inquired of the servant who answered his summons whether Sir Edward was at home. The man's decided negative evidently disconcerted him, and he appeared for a minute or two considerably perplexed and agitated. Perhaps Lady Stanley" he said, at length, taking out a cardcase as he spoke. 66 "Her ladyship is also out," replied the servant, not giving him time to complete his sentence. "That is indeed unfortunate," murmured the gentleman, returning the unopened case to his pocket. In a louder tone he inquired, "At what hour in the morning shall I be likely to find you master disengaged?" "I fear you will not be able to see him at all, sir, for the whole family are going down to Cornwall to-morrow, and- but," he added, suddenly interrupting himself as he noticed the look of patient despair which overshadowed the stranger's countenance, "if you are really anxious to see Sir Edward, I would suggest that you should go to the Town Hall, sir; you will be just in time for the meeting, and can easily speak to him after it is over." "Town Hall! meeting!" ejaculated the gentleman, in a mystified tone; "what do you mean? Í am quite a stranger in Lanchester,” he explained, mildly, "having only arrived within the last half-hour; I do not, therefore, of course, know anything that is going on in the place." "Oh, I see, sir," said the man, respectfully; and he was about to enter into particulars, when the old butler, who happened to be crossing the hall, saw how he was situated, and remarked, remindingly,"There is much to be done, James, before her ladyship returns from the meeting." "So there is," assented his colleague, with a conscious start. "You will excuse me for being so abrupt, sir," he added, turning deprecatingly towards the gentlemen, who had taken the hint, and was moving away, "but we are all in great confusion." The stranger silently bent his head in acceptance of his apology, and went back to the carriage, while the civil footman, raising his voice, exclaimed, in a tone of conclusive consolation,— "You will be sure to find him on the platform, sir." This information had the effect of quickening the gentleman's movements; and his tone was brisker and more energetic, as he called out, on re-entering the carriage,— "Drive to the Town Hall." He was obeyed. One hasty glance at the brilliantly lighted building showed him that, so far, his informant had told him nothing but the truth. There was a meeting-of what nature it did not occur to him to ascertainhe therefore resolved to attend it, and take his chance of obtaining an interview with the young baronet. "I believe this is within a short distance of our hotel?" observed the gentleman inquiringly of his attendants. "Yes, sir, it's the next street," was the answer. 'Very well, you may leave me here, and I will find my way back on foot." And, without another word, he made his way into the hall. When there, he paused, and gazed around him in dismay. Every available seat seemed to be occupied, and instead of being able, as he had doubtless intended, to get within reach of the platform, he found it impossible to advance a single step without roughly pushing aside some of those who, having like himself arrived too late to secure seats, were now standing in long rows on each side of the immense hall, filling up every remaining space, and effectually checking the progress of those who would move towards the upper end. While the stranger stood thus, meditating whether he should remain where he was, just inside the principal doorway, alike screened from observation himself, and prevented from seeing or hearing what was going on around and beyond him, or effect his escape before other arrivals might render escape somewhat difficult, he was accosted by a young man of pleasing exterior, and calm, gentlemanly bearing, who had followed him into the hall, and witnessed his discomfiture. "If you will follow me," he said, addressing him in a tone of quiet confidence, "I can easily find you a seat.' A lightning glance, between gratitude and suspicion, was the only answer. The young man smiled as he met the glance, a frank, genial smile, which partially dissipated the gloom upon the other's face, and made him accept the offer without more ado. "This way, then," whispered his guide, in a quick, hurried tone; for a slight stir at the upper end denoted that the proceedings were about to begin. And, taking his unresisting arm, he led him out at the same door by which they had entered, and, passing hastily to the other end of the building, stopped at a smaller door, which was locked. This he opened with a key he carried in his hand, and they found themselves in a narrow passage. "The place seems very full," remarked the elder stranger, while the other waited to relock the door. 66 But Yes," he answered, enthusiastically, "it's a goodly sight. now we must make haste, or we shall be too late for the commencement of the lecture." "Is there any chance of my being able to have a few minutes' conversation with Sir Edward Stanley?" returned the other, laying a detaining hand upon his arm; "I was told I should be sure to meet him here." "Sir Edward! Oh, yes, he is on the platform," replied the young man, assuringly. "If you will wait just a second," he added goodnaturedly," I can find out whether there is room for you there." He sprang off, but was back in an instant. "The platform is filled," he said, shaking his head; "we must go below; but you will be sure to have an opportunity of speaking to Sir Edward at the conclusion of the meeting, as The rest of the sentence remained unspoken, for at that moment they took their seats in front of the platform, and the organ suddenly sent forth its swelling notes, and a thousand voices seemed blended into one mighty tone, while joining with heart and soul in the favourite Old Hundredth Psalm "All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice," etc. "This is grand," thought the stranger, who had been quite unprepared for such an outburst of praise; and as he listened, an unwonted moisture passed before his eyes, and a strange sense of pain and humility stirred his heart to its very depths. When the last note had died away, and perfect silence succeeded, there was a little movement upon the platform, and these words rang loud and clear-albeit with peculiar reverence and grave earnestness -through the whole building, "My brethren, let us pray." What was there in that voice to make the grey-haired stranger |