ng to her mother,
'because there could have been no affinity, that I am aware of, between
them, and yet the likeness is really surprising.'--'It is not so
singular as you imagine,' answered Mrs. Mowbray; 'there _is_ a close
affinity. That Lady Rookwood was my mother. Eleanor Mowbray _does_
resemble her ill-fated ancestress.'

"Words cannot paint my astonishment. I gazed at Mrs. Mowbray,
considering whether I had not misconstrued her speech--whether I had not
so shaped the sounds as to suit my own quick and passionate conceptions.
But no! I read in her calm, collected countenance--in the downcast
glance, and sudden sadness of Eleanor, as well as in the changed and
haughty demeanor of the brother, that I had heard her rightly. Eleanor
Mowbray was my cousin--the descendant of that hapless creature whose
image I had almost worshipped.

"Recovering from my surprise, I addressed Mrs. Mowbray, endeavoring to
excuse my ignorance of our relationship, on the plea that I had not been
given to understand that such had been the name of the gentleman she had
espoused. 'Nor was it,' answered she, 'the name he bore at Rookwood;
circumstances forbade it then. From the hour I quitted that house until
this moment, excepting one interview with my--with Sir Reginald
Rookwood--I have seen none of my family--have held no communication with
them. My brothers have been strangers to me; the very name of Rookwood
has been unheard, unknown; nor would you have been admitted here, had
not accident occasioned it.' I ventured now to interrupt her, and to
express a hope that she would suffer an acquaintance to be kept up,
which had so fortunately commenced, and which might most probably bring
about an entire reconciliation between the families. I was so earnest in
my expostulations, my whole soul being in them, that she inclined a
more friendly ear to me. Eleanor, too, smiled encouragement. Love lent
me eloquence; and at length, as a token of my success, and her own
relenting, Mrs. Mowbray held forth her hand: I clasped it eagerly. It
was the happiest moment of my life.

"I will not trouble you with any lengthened description of Eleanor
Mowbray. I hope, at some period or other, you may still be enabled to
see her, and judge for yourself; for though adverse circumstances have
hitherto conspired to separate us, the time for a renewal of our
acquaintance is approaching, I trust, for I am not yet altogether
without hope. But this much I may be allowed t