Frank thought the whole thing strange; but stranger still was the conduct, the metamorphosis, the transfiguration of Mr. Clifton, who, upon observing the major, instantly put a violent constraint upon himself, and became the broad-faced, rosy, smiling, blue-eyed, débonnair old gentleman, so lavish in the display of his fine teeth, and hearty, cordial words and smiles. Frank was provoked that their conversation was so completely arrested.

"Ah, good morning," said Mr. Clifton, addressing the major. "Been to Hardbargain this morning, so early? How are all the folks up there? See Archer? Why didn't he walk with you? Eh? Expected him.'

I have not been to Hardbargain, sir," replied the major rather morosely.

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Been out taking a morning stroll, then, eh? Fine appetite for breakfast, no doubt; and it is waiting for us, too. Come, Frank, let's turn about.”

They did so. Frank now noticed, for the first time, that the manner of the old gentleman was conciliating, while that of the major was surly.

They soon reached the house and the breakfast-room, where the ladies were awaiting their arrival.

As they entered, the countenance of Carolyn Clifton was flushed and eager; but when they had all got in, and were seated at the table, the colour died out of her face, leaving her pale as marble. She merely trifled with her breakfast, pretending to eat, but no morsel passed her lips. When breakfast was over, and the company dispersed about the room, Carolyn almost reeled past her father in going out, and muttered, with pale lips, "Father! Not come yet ?"

"Never mind, never mind, my dear! I will ride up to Hardbargain and fetch him."

"Not for the universe, father, if he never comes!" replied the determined girl, plucking up her spirit, and sweeping proudly past and going into the piazza, where she sat, by-the-bye, with her eyes strained up the mountain-path by which he ought to come.

Frank got no opportunity of speaking alone with Zuleime. Old Mr. Clifton met him, however, when he came in from looking after his horse, and said, kindly patting him on the -shoulder, "Indeed, my dear boy, I don't see the least necessity for your leaving us until after dinner. The stage

coach doesn't pass through L till eight o'clock at night, and five or six hours is ample time in which to reach there." "Yes, sir, I grant it; but I have to go this morning to Hardbargain to take leave of Mrs. Clifton, and of my friend Archer, if, indeed, the latter is not ordered on the same duty as myself, which, upon Miss Clifton's account, I am inclined to fear."

Then

'Oh, are you going to ride to Hardbargain? perhaps you will be pleased to learn that Zuleime is going there this morning also, to assist Mrs. Clifton in putting the last finishing touches to her dress for this evening. And you can escort her," said Georgia, smoothly gliding between them, and laying her head and hand with child-like freedom and affection upon the old man's shoulder.

"Oh, I shall be very happy!" said Frank, "really happy -nay, overjoyed, intoxicated--with the prospect of an uninterrupted farewell tête-à-tête with Zuleime."

Old Mr. Clifton looked rather disappointed, but he was not of a very combative disposition especially had he no inclination to contradict Georgia. Besides, he at once reflected that there was really no danger. They couldn't be married in the neighbourhood, because they could get no licence, and no clergyman dare marry them without one. And it was not probable, or even possible, that Frank would elope with his daughter on the very eve of joining his regiment for a distant and dangerous service. In truth, he felt it was folly to cherish a misgiving. And yet he had misgivings, nor could he banish them; the utmost extent of his self-control was, not to act upon them--not to forbid their riding together. While Zuleime was putting on her hat and riding-habit, Frank got the ear of the old gentleman once more, and for the last time. The old man had sunk into his broad-bottomed flag-chair in the hall, with his thick gold-headed stick between his knees, and his two hands and his chin resting upon it, when Frank stood before him with folded arms and head dropped upon his breast, and said, 'Mr. Clifton, once more, and for the last time, I ask you, and I implore you to answer me candidly. Is there any possibility that, under any change of circumstances, at any future time, I may hope for your consent to my union with Zuleime ?"

The earnestness, deepening almost into solemnity, of the

young man's manner and words impressed Mr. Clifton very deeply; but he replied, "Mr. Fairfax, it is best to speak the plain, harsh, cutting truth, though that truth is the axe laid to the root of all your hopes of Zuleime. No! Yet I regret this, Frank! You do not know how much. But you must forget her. I hope you will soon do so. I know you must !” Frank shook his head in despairing negation. And farther colloquy was arrested by the coming down of Zuleime equipped for her ride.

"Come here, my daughter. Now, you must be sure to be back by dinner-time, do you hear ?"

"Certainly, sir."

"Promise me.'

"Of course I do."

Upon your honour !" said the old man seriously.

Upon my honour, sir, I will return by dinner-time. But what makes you so emphatic about it, dear father?”

A notion of mine, my child; but I have your promise." "Of course you have, sir!" said Zuleime, drawing on her gloves.

Mr. Fairfax was taking leave of Mrs. Clifton. Presently he turned to bid adieu to Mr. Clifton.

The old gentleman shook his hand warmly, wishing him all the success he desired, and affecting to laugh and jest, while he exacted a like promise from Fairfax-namely, that he should take his girl to Hardbargain, and leave her there to return by dinner-time.

Frank gave his word very cheerfully. The young couple then mounted and rode away. The old man watched them from the piazza in sorrowful love, murmuring

Poor

"God bless them! I wish they could be married. things! If they do love each other so much, or if they think they do, which is quite as bad while it lasts, why, it is but kind to let them have this last little parting comfort of a ride together. And it was well, too," chuckled the old gentleman, "to tie them up with promises, so that they can't run away, which they might else be tempted to do in their parting-hour. But they will neither of them ever break their word, and I shall have her back safe by dinner-time; for it is utterly impossible for them to get married without a licence, and it is quite impracticable to get a licence this side of L or to ride to L between this and noon,

much less to ride thither and return here in time for dinner. Ah! I have them there! And yet I am sorry for them, too. Poor things!"

All this time Carolyn Clifton had sat like one dead, only with her eyes strained up the mountain bridle-path.

In the meantime Frank and Zuleime pursued their ride. As soon as they were out of sight and hearing of a band of field-labourers, employed in cutting grass, and had entered the shady mountain-path, Frank said, "Well, Zuleime, my dearest girl, I spoke to your father—”

"And his answer-I almost dread to hear it-yet I know what it was, too."

Frank nodded his head, and they rode on in silence for some minutes, broken at last by Frank, who suddenly exclaimed, "Zuleime, you bear this so well!"

"Frank, you know this is no new thing to me; I have known it, and been prepared for it all along!" replied the girl, with a look of resignation.

O Zuleime! is there no way to prevent it?"

"None that I know of, Frank!"

Zuleime, I was in every way his equal-why, when that is the case, and when I was supported by your voice, too-why was I rejected ?"

The maiden shook her head.

Zuleime, when is this hideous marriage expected to come off, do you know?"

"Whenever Major Cabell chooses to demand my hand, I believe!"

Really! Upon my word, he is a personage of tremendous importance! Whenever HE chooses to demand your hand! Zuleime, that is passing strange! This affair seems, then, to rest entirely with Major Cabell !"

"Yes, it does entirely."

'Bless his majesty! Zuleime, what hold has that man on your father?"

Zuleime shook her black ringlets mournfully, but did not reply.

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Do you know, my dear girl, that I am impressed with the idea that your father does not at heart wish to give you to Major Cabell, but rather yields to a strange power the man holds over him ?"

"At times I have thought so, too; but then my dear

I

father at other times really seems so set upon the marriage, that the thought has been driven out of my head again. do not know what to think. But what I do know is, that I will never willingly do anything to give my dear father pain!" My dearest girl, do you know that I believe, from my soul, that your marriage with Major Cabell will give your father more pain than any other circumstance could!”

The young girl looked up in surprise.

"Zuleime, he told me to-day that, though he had promised you to Major Cabell, he would rather die than see you unhappy, or stand in the way of your perfect happiness!"

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My dear father! my dear, gentle father! my fond, old father!" exclaimed Zuleime, with the bright tears rolling on her damask cheeks, like dew on the red rose. "My kind, generous father! He shall never know that I am unhappy; and neither shall I be unhappy when pleasing him!"

My dear, excellent girl, listen to me! You shall not be unhappy any way. Do you suppose, Zuleime, that I could ride by your side so cheerfully, if I thought you were going to marry that man, on whom your father no more wishes to bestow you than he wishes to send you to perdition? Listen, my darling girl! When your father told me what I have repeated to you, he went on to say that, for certain family reasons, it was incumbent on him to fulfil his promise, and to bestow your hand upon Major Cabell, unless some insurmountable obstacle should interpose to arrest the union! Zuleime, a flood of light broke on me then; and I felt and knew that the old man would yield his darling daughter to the mysterious power exercised over him by Major Cabell, rather than bestow her with esteem and affection. Zuleime, without vanity, I think that he loves me better, and would prefer me for a son-in-law, if he were free to choose. I think, indeed I do, that he would hail with secret joy 'an insurmountable obstacle' which would prevent the marriage, and not implicate him in any manner. I think that was what he meant when he said what he did. Still, I am convinced that the words slipped from him unintentionally. I am certain he did not mean to give me the hint, which, nevertheless, I take; for he is a man of strict honour, I know, and would never tamper with the spirit of a promise any more than he would break the words !"

"Oh, no, he never would, indeed!"