ous. Foiled in his attempts upon the chastity of a lady of
great beauty and high honor, he was rash enough to marry her; rash, we
say, for from that fatal hour all became as darkness; the curtain fell
upon the comedy of his life, to rise to tragic horrors. When, passion
subsided, repentance awoke, and he became anxious for deliverance from
the fetters he had so heedlessly imposed on himself, and on his
unfortunate dame.

The hapless lady of Sir Reginald was a fair and fragile creature,
floating on the eddying current of existence, and hurried in destruction
as the summer gossamer is swept away by the rude breeze, and lost
forever. So beautiful, so gentle was she, that if,

Sorrow had not made
Sorrow more beautiful than Beauty's self,

it would have been difficult to say whether the charm of softness and
sweetness was more to be admired than her faultless personal
attractions. But when a tinge of melancholy came, saddening and shading
the once smooth and smiling brow; when tears dimmed the blue beauty of
those deep and tender eyes; when hot, hectic flushes supplied the place
of healthful bloom, and despair took possession of her heart, then was
it seen _what_ was the charm of Lady Rookwood, if charm that could be
called which was a saddening sight to see, and melted the beholder's
soul within him. All acknowledged, that exquisite as she had been
before, the sad, sweet lady was now more exquisite still.

Seven moons had waned and flown--seven bitter, tearful moons--and each
day Lady Rookwood's situation claimed more soothing attention at the
hand of her lord. About this time his wife's brother, whom he hated,
returned from the Dutch wars. Struck with his sister's altered
appearance, he readily divined the cause; indeed, all tongues were eager
to proclaim it to him. Passionately attached to her, Lionel Vavasour
implored an explanation of the cause of his sister's griefs. The
bewildered lady answered evasively, attributing her woe-begone looks to
any other cause than her husband's cruelty; and pressing her brother, as
he valued her peace, her affection, never to allude to the subject
again. The fiery youth departed. He next sought out his brother-in-law,
and taxed him sharply with his inhumanity, adding threats to his
upbraidings. Sir Reginald listened silently and calmly. When the other
had finished, with a sarcastic obeisance, he replied: "Sir, I am much
beholden for the trouble you have taken in your