m do it, and approve the consequences.'

"On the morrow I renewed my importunities, with no better success. We
were alone.

"'Ranulph,' said he, 'you waste time in seeking to change my resolution.
It is unalterable. I have many motives which influence me; they are
inexplicable, but imperative. Eleanor Mowbray never can be yours. Forget
her as speedily as may be, and I pledge myself, upon whomsoever else
your choice may fix, I will offer no obstacle.'

"'But why,' exclaimed I, with vehemence, 'do you object to one whom you
have never beheld? At least, consent to see her.'

"'Never!' he replied, 'The tie is sundered, and cannot be reunited; my
father bound me by an oath never to meet in friendship with my sister; I
will not break my vow, I will not violate its conditions, even in the
second degree. We never can meet again. An idle prophecy which I have
heard has said "_that when a Rookwood shall marry a Rookwood the end of
the house draweth nigh_." That I regard not. It may have no meaning, or
it may have much. To me it imports nothing further, than that, if you
wed Eleanor, every acre I possess shall depart from you. And assure
yourself this is no idle threat. I can, and will do it. My curse shall
be your sole inheritance.'

"I could not avoid making some reply, representing to him how
unjustifiable such a procedure was to me, in a case where the happiness
of my life was at stake; and how inconsistent it was with the charitable
precepts of our faith, to allow feelings of resentment to influence his
conduct. My remonstrances, as in the preceding meeting, were
ineffectual. The more I spoke, the more intemperate he grew. I therefore
desisted, but not before he had ordered me to quit the house. I did not
leave the neighborhood, but saw him again on the same evening.

"Our last interview took place in the garden. I then told him that I had
determined to go abroad for two years, at the expiration of which period
I proposed returning to England; trusting that his resolution might then
be changed, and that he would listen to my request, for the fulfilment
of which I could never cease to hope. Time, I hoped, might befriend me.
He approved of my plan of travelling, requesting me not to see Eleanor
before I set out; adding, in a melancholy tone--'We may never meet
again, Ranulph, in this life; in that case, farewell forever. Indulge no
vain hopes. Eleanor never can be yours, but upon one condition, and to
that you would never