trembling voice, between the extravagance of passion, and the coldness of indifference? but I forgive your injustice, Atherton, in a moment of cooler reason you will feel that I do not deserve it; that I am not so ungrateful as you now believe me.'

Miriam turned from him as she finished speaking, and bent her head to conceal the tears which filled her eyes; but Major Atherton again seized her hand, and with all the inconsistency of passion, exclaimed,

'Miriam, you cannot love me, or you would not yield thus calmly to the cold dictates of rigid duty; you would not banish me from your presence without one word of hope, one smile of encouragement! Dearest Miriam, I could endure every thing, were I only assured that you understood my feelings and shared the bitterness of my regret.'

At least, believe,' said Miriam, mildly, that you have excited many anxious thoughts, many emotions that I would fain avoid, by a display of impetuous and ungoverned feeling, which I had Rot expected from you; and pardon me, Major Atherton, which I must consider unbecoming your principles and character."

6

'I cannot endure your reproaches, Miriam,' replied Atherton; if you do not love at least pity and forgive me. But what avails it?' he added, in a tone of sadness; and why should I still linger here? Forget this interview if possible, and think of me as you were wont to do, in the early days of our acquaintance; and now farewell, beloved Mi

riam! perhaps forever!

And he pressed her un

resisting hand with fervour to his lips.

6

What mean you,' said Miriam, with quick alarm, and whither are you going? surely you contemplate no rash enterprize?'

6

6

6

'I go from you,' said Atherton, and where, it matters not; all places are henceforth alike to me.' Say not so,' replied Miriam ; but rather exert the firmness of your spirit and subdue a predilection, which it is your duty and interest to repress, and which must yield at length to the assuasive influence of time.'

Impossible! it never can,' said Atherton; 'do not seek to move me from my purpose; do not, Miriam, shake the feeble resolution I have struggled to acquire; here, I cannot remain with safety, and absence from you may perhaps render my disappointment less insupportable.'

6

Go then,' said Miriam, vainly endeavouring to speak with composure; and may God watch over you and protect you.'

Atherton still held her hand with deep but silent emotion; fearful to trust himself again to speak, yet reluctant to tear himself from her presence ; when the sudden entrance of Mrs. Weldon aroused him to immediate exertion. Too much agitated however to enter into an explanation, which her looks seemed to demand, he rushed hastily past her, and in a moment was in the open air.

The evening was closing in, shrouded with clouds and gloom; though some faint streaks of light

which lingered after the setting sun, seemed to give promise of a brighter morrow. But Major Atherton felt this darkness far more congenial to his feelings than the glare of day; and closely envelloped in his cloak, with even his face concealed within its folds, he wandered on he knew not, cared not whither, till he found himself approaching the sea-shore. Atherton threw back the cloak, and looked earnestly upon the restless ocean: the monotonous moaning of the waves as they broke upon the pebbly beach, the whistling of the wind, and the shrill cry of the sea-birds, as they swooped to dip their wings in the watery element, and eddyed around his head in returning to their craggy nests, -dreary as were the sounds, they combined to fill his mind with a melancholy, but soothing influence. As he stood thus, his eyes were involuntarily attracted by a small vessel lying at anchor, from which proceeded the sounds of labour; and in the imperfect twilight, he perceived several persons busied at the hatchways, while others were repairing the masts, apparently in preparation for an intended voyage. Atherton instantly recognised the Massachusetts bark which had been some time in the harbour; and prompted by a sudden resolution, he sprang upon a projecting rock and leaped from crag to crag, till he came near enough to hail those on board. He was answered by a respectable looking man, who seemed to be the master, and of him, Atherton enquired if they were bound to the Massachusetts Bay?" and received a civil reply in the affirmative.

6

'And how soon do you intend to sail?' pursued Atherton.

"To-morrow, if the wind is fair, and it seems to be turning about the right way.'

• Can you take a passenger with you, Master?” asked Atherton.

We have room and to spare,' replied the man, if you can put up with our poor fare and accommodations.'

I care not for that, friend,' returned Atherton, ' and shall hold myself in readiness to depart with you.'

We will get things in the best order possible; and the king can do no better,' said the man ; " and God willing, we hope to clear out of port at an early hour.'

6 The sooner the better,' said Atherton; and I owe you thanks, master, for your readiness to oblige.'

Considerably relieved by this unexpected arrangement, Major Atherton hastened homewards; but as he re-entered the house he had lately quitted with such buoyant hopes, the mental change which a few hours had produced, sensibly affected him; and yielding to the excitement of his feelings, he threw himself into a chair and covered his face with his hands. Captain Standish, whom in the agitation of the moment he had not observed, alone occupied the apartment,. and regarded his unusual conduct with extreme surprise, not unmixed with alarm.

"Cousin Atherton,' he at length said, 'are you

stark mad, or what in the name of wonder ails you?"

Atherton started at the sound of his voice; and after struggling a moment to regain his firmness, replied,

'Excuse me, sir; but I did not see you; I could think of nothing but my own selfish regrets and disappointment.'

'Speak out frankly, like a soldier, Edward,' returned the Captain; I am more in the dark than ever; but I always thought you would get no good by going so often to Plymouth, and taking such long walks in the night air.'

6

'I have indeed, met only with evil,' said Atherton, bitterly; but who could have believed it existed under so fair a form?'

"Ah! I begin to understand you,' returned the Captain; something about my rose-bud, I'll warrant you; a love-quarrel perhaps; but it will soon be made up again, if I have any skill in smiles and blushes.'

6

No, no,' said Atherton, quickly; 'I shall never see her more."

"You will think better of that to-morrow, cousin Atherton; and so bear up with a good heart, and remember girls are apt to mean more than they say, and sometimes say more than they mean.'

She does not, I know but too well,' replied Atherton; and after a short pause, he added, 'I wish not to withhold my confidence from you, sir; but allow me to be brief. She has slighted my love,