respects uninjured. He recovered his recollection about the same time that Hannah returned home, and he was able to grasp her hand, and assure her by an expressive look that she was not forgotten.

The broken limb was skilfully set, and the invalid rapidly recovered. Who would not have revived under such tender nurses? Ellis informed them that he had found his mother suffering from a lingering disease, which had only recently terminated fatally, and that he was coming to pass the Autumn amongst them, when the accident happened which had placed him under the roof of his friend. In the most cordial manner did he congratulate Travers on the possession of so amiable and lovely a wife, and Travers, who never tired of listening to praises of Hannah, loved to introduce and prolong the subject.

The invalid was soon moved into a pretty little morning-room which overlooked the lawn, and there was he left for hours alone with Hannah, whilst Travers went forth to pursue

his numerous avocations.

Alas! alas! it was

a fearful ordeal for one so young and guileless as this poor girl. There was a powerful fascination in every look, every tone of Edward's ; and when he ventured to hint at the anguish he had suffered on learning her marriage, and the efforts he had fruitlessly made to subdue his love, Hannah's heart beat with a pleasurable emotion, which she strove vainly to repress; and with mingled terror, grief, and joy, she found that each day rendered her dearer to Edward, and that her own weak heart prevented her from repelling his, at length open, pleadings for a return of his affection.

Who can portray the workings of the human heart? Who can describe the slippery and flowery descent which leads to the precipice of crime; that fearful abyss whose brink is concealed by fairest illusions, but whose gulph is fathomless. Hannah Travers, the chosen of the best of men, was about to betray his love, his confidence, and to deprive him at once of a friend and wife. She, so lately pure and

high-soul'd, was now so blinded by her unhappy attachment, that guilt with Edward seemed preferable to all that virtue promises.

At length, deserted by the God she had ceased to invoke, urged on by her ungoverned feelings, surrounded on all sides by the potent spells of Ellis, the unhappy creature consented to accompany her lover to London; but from that moment a fearful change came over Hannah. With her innocence, she lost her dignity of mind and manner, and became a poor, humble, suspicious being. To dwell longer with Travers was insupportable. Ah! what torture can equal that of encountering the open, approving look, the happy smile, the cheerful confidence of one we have irretrievably injured!

Arthur was called away about this time for a whole day, on business, and he went early in the morning, after affectionately embracing his wife, and taking a kind leave of his friend, who was now perfectly restored to health. This day had been fixed on by Ellis for their flight, and having arranged everything, and provided

a carriage and horses to wait for them at an appointed place, they walked unobserved to the spot, and Hannah was lifted into the vehicle in a fainting state. During the whole journey to London she remained in an agony of grief and remorse which appalled even the heartless Ellis; but when he found that she obstinately refused to partake of the gaieties of the metropolis, and moped from morning till night in the lodgings he had provided for her; when he perceived her beauty fading, and her bright eye growing dim, his selfish love gradually died away, and insulting indifference, together with protracted absences, soon revealed to his wretched victim that she had lost the heart she had vainly believed hers for ever.

Arthur Travers had left home on the fatal morning which had deprived him of a wife and friend, with his heart full of brighter hopes than usual. Edward Ellis had happily recovered his health, and Hannah's manner towards himself had latterly evinced a solicitude to please, and a soft tenderness, which were in reality

the offspring of her conscious guilt, but which he had fondly construed into a growing love for him.

As he pondered over the many blessings he enjoyed, he raised his heart in gratitude to Heaven, and felt his spirits elated by the exhilarating freshness of the morning. At length having transacted his business, he returned joyously homewards, and encountered Mr. Barlow, who was also going to the vicarage. They entered the morning-room which they had latterly occupied, and found it empty, with the embers of a fire in the grate. The servant on hearing their arrival came into the room and handed a letter to Arthur Travers, which he immediately recognized as coming from his own Hannah. Breathlessly he tore it open and read it; then stupidly and vacantly he stared at Mr. Barlow, and rising, suddenly fled from the room. Mr. Barlow saw that some terrible calamity had fallen on his house, for he also had recognized Hannah's handwriting. The old man approached the spot where the letter had fallen,