wife and son, Colonel Arbuthnot's stern heart was subdued and melted within him. The memory of his sweet, uncomplaining daughter rose up before him, and he resolved to hasten back to Wales and restore her to his home and affection. But his repentance came too late— he never more saw his native mountains; he never more gazed on his daughter's gentle features, a fever carried him off within a fortnight after his son's death, and his relenting feelings were never known to mortal.

-

The Arbuthnot estates were entailed, and they devolved now on a nephew of Colonel Arbuthnot's, a harsh, sordid being, who forthwith took possession of Stone Abbey.

And what were Geraldine's thoughts when she learned this extinction of her family?

CHAPTER V.

For all delights are shadows now.

But I was calm. I went away;
I was clammy-cold like clay.
I did not weep; I did not speak ;
But day by day, week after week,
I walked about like a corpse alive!
Alas, sweet friend, you must believe,
This heart is stone it did not break.

SHELLEY.

It was the afternoon of a sabbath-day, and the rustic population attired in their holidaygarb were hurrying to church; some walking apart in religious meditation, others gaily laughing and talking, as though they were seeking some place of public amusement, and others, with chastened sorrow on their brows, silently

wending their way to seek comfort and consolation at God's footstool.

Geraldine Cellini sat at an open window in the cottage, her head resting on her hand, and her thoughts wandering into scenes "long ago."

"Long ago! oh! long ago!

Do not those words recall past years,
And, scarcely knowing why they flow,
Force to the eyes unbidden tears?
Do ye not feel as back they come,
Those dim, sweet dreams of olden days,
A yearning to your childhood's home,
Peopled with tones of love and praise!
Long! long ago !'

"Long ago! when many a sound,
Awoke to mirth, which saddens now,
And many an eye was sparkling round,
That weeps beneath a darkened brow;
When with our whole, young, happy hearts,
We loved and laughed away the time,
Nor thought how quickly all departs,
So cherished in life's early prime.

Geraldine was attired in deep mourning, and fearfully was she altered by the events of the last few months. Emaciated, pale and sorrow

ful, she sat gazing listlessly on the bright lake beneath. Suddenly the sound of distant churchbells came floating on the breeze, and then dying away. Those hallowed chimes struck on the heart of the poor invalid and brought hosts of bygone associations with them. The home of her childhood was again before her-again she felt the warm maternal kiss on her cheek, again her father fondled her on his knee-again her little brother with his laughing blue eyes chased her through the grounds! These recollections came crowding into her mind as the far-off bells swelled and expired on the wind, and her full heart heaved and throbbed, and the large teardrops coursed each other silently down her wan cheeks, and even little Teresa's playful efforts to arouse her attention failed,—and poor Bianca lay at her feet with its intelligent eyes fixed, as in sympathy, on her countenance.

Antonio at length broke in upon her reverie. He entered the room, and seating himself beside Geraldine took her thin, transparent hand in his, and said, "Dearest, for my sake, do not give

way to this dejection,-oh! Geraldine, you know not, you cannot guess the anguish of my heart to see you thus! Alas! would you have me consider myself as the destroyer of your happiness, for before I knew you, love, you were happy, and I have been but as a cloud in your destiny!"

Geraldine turned her eyes on her husband's face, and her lips quivered as she replied"Antonio, as you value my peace, never speak such unkind words to me again; but I feel I have deserved them by indulging my selfish sorrow; your love is to me beyond all the treasures of the earth, and the thought that I have grieved you is the severest punishment I could endure. No, my beloved Antonio," she continued, throwing herself into his arms, and laying her cold cheek fondly against his, "never more shall you be distressed by the sight of my sinful yielding to grief; you and our darling child have powerful claims on me, and from this moment you shall find me an altered being."