dle-aged; but it was very genial to the chilly,
loveless morning of my own early life," said Marah, dropping her head
upon her hand and sliding into reminiscences of the past.

"Dear Marah, I wish you would tell me all about your marriage and
misfortunes," said Herbert, in a tone of the deepest sympathy and
respect.

"Yes, he was very handsome," continued Mrs. Rocke, speaking more to
herself than to her companion; "his form was tall, full and stately; his
complexion warm, rich and glowing; his fine face was lighted up by a
pair of strong, dark-gray eyes, full of fire and tenderness, and was
surrounded by waving masses of jet-black hair and whiskers; they are
gray now, you say, Herbert?"

"Gray and grizzled, and bristling up around his hard face like
thorn-bushes around a rock in winter!" said Herbert, bluntly, for it
enraged his honest but inexperienced boyish heart to hear this wronged
woman speak so enthusiastically.

"Ah! it is winter with him now; but then it was glorious Indian summer!
He was a handsome, strong and ardent man. I was a young, slight, pale
girl, with no beauty but the cold and colorless beauty of a statue; with
no learning but such as I had picked up from a country school; with no
love to bless my lonely life--for I was a friendless orphan, without
either parents or relatives, and living by sufferance in a cold and
loveless home."

"Poor girl!" murmured Herbert, in almost inaudible tones.

"Our log cabin stood beside the military road leading through the
wilderness to the fort where he was stationed. And, oh! when he came
riding by each day upon his noble, coal-black steed and in his martial
uniform, looking so vigorous, handsome and kingly, he seemed to me
almost a god to worship! Sometimes he drew rein in front of the old oak
tree that stood in front of our cabin to breathe his horse or to ask for
a draught of water. I used to bring it to him. Oh! then, when he looked
at me, his eyes seemed to send new warmth to my chilled heart; when he
spoke, too, his tones seemed to strengthen me; while he stayed his
presence seemed to protect me!"

"Aye, such protection as vultures give to doves--covering and devouring
them," muttered Herbert to himself. Mrs. Rocke, too absorbed in her
reminiscences to heed his interruptions, continued:

"One day he asked me to be his wife. I do not know what I answered. I
only know that when I understood what he meant, my heart trembled with
instinctive terror at its