of
low-born maidens married to youths of high estate, and raised from hut
to hall, becoming mothers of a lordly line of sons, that were
counsellors to Kings and Princes.

In Spring, Mr Howard went away for a few months--it was said to the
great city--and on his return at midsummer, Lucy was to be his bride.
They parted with a few peaceful tears, and though absent were still
together. And now a letter came, saying that before another Sabbath he
would be at the Fold. A few fields in Easdale, long mortgaged beyond
their fee-simple by the hard-working statesman from whom they
reluctantly were passing away, had meanwhile been purchased by Mr
Howard, and in that cottage they were to abide, till they had built for
themselves a house a little further up the side of the sylvan hill,
below the shadow of Helm-crag. Lucy saw the Sabbath of his return and
its golden sun, but it was in her mind's eye only; for ere it was to
descend behind the hills, she was not to be among the number of living
things.

Up Forest-Ullswater the youth had come by the light of the setting sun;
and as he crossed the mountains to Grassmere by the majestic pass of the
Hawse, still as every new star arose in heaven, with it arose as
lustrous a new emotion from the bosom of his betrothed. The midnight
hour had been fixed for his return to the Fold; and as he reached the
cliffs above White-moss, according to agreement a light was burning in
the low window, the very planet of love. It seemed to shed a bright
serenity over all the vale, and the moon-glittering waters of Rydal-mere
were as an image of life, pure, lonely, undisturbed, and at the pensive
hour how profound! "Blessing and praise be to the gracious God! who
framed my spirit so to delight in His beautiful and glorious
creation--blessing and praise to the Holy One, for the boon of my Lucy's
innocent and religious love!" Prayers crowded fast into his soul, and
tears of joy fell from his eyes, as he stood at the threshold, almost
afraid, in the trembling of life-deep affection, to meet her first
embrace.

In the silence, sobs and sighs, and one or two long deep groans! Then in
another moment, he saw, through the open door of the room where Lucy
used to sleep, several figures moving to and fro in the light, and one
figure upon its knees--who else could it be but her father! Unnoticed he
became one of the pale-faced company--and there he beheld her on her
bed, mute and motionless, her face covered with