ss futurity. Again and again I said to myself--

"Better so a thousand times, than to live as I have done, scathed by the
lightning of jealousy. Even if he returned, I could not, with the fear
of God now before me, renew our unblest wedlock. The hand of violence
has sundered us, and my heart fibres must ever bleed from the wrench,
but they will not again intwine. He has torn himself ruthlessly from me;
and the shattered vine, rent from its stay, is beginning to cling to the
pillars of God's temple. It is for _him_ I pray, for _him_ I mourn,
rather than myself. It is for his happiness, rather than my own
justification, that I desire him to know the history of my innocence. I
am willing to drink the cup of humiliation even to the dregs, if it may
not pass from me; but spare him, O Heavenly Father, the bitter, bitter
chalice."

It was a bleak morning in early winter, that we commenced our journey to
that city, where little more than a year ago I had gone a young and
happy bride. As we rode along the winding avenue, I looked out on the
dry russet lawn, the majestic skeleton of the great elm, stripped of the
foliage and hues of life, and saw the naked branches of the oaks
clinging to each other in sad fraternity, and heard the wind whistling
through them as through the shrouds of a vessel. With an involuntary
shiver I drew nearer to Richard, and hid my face from the prophetic
desolation of nature.

CHAPTER LII.

On our arrival in New York, we stopped at the ---- hotel till private
lodgings could be obtained. We both wished to be as retired as possible
from public observation, and for this purpose I remained in my room,
where Richard, as my brother, had the privilege of visiting me. I was
anxious he should go immediately to Mr. Brahan's; for, added to my
desire to be under the influence of her feminine regard, I cherished a
faint hope that through him I might learn something of Ernest's
mysterious exile.

They both returned with Richard; and while Mr. Brahan remained with him
below, she came to my chamber, and welcomed me with a warmth and
tenderness that melted, while it cheered.

"You must not stay here one hour longer," said she, pressing one hand in
hers, while she laid the other caressingly on my short, curling hair.
"You must go with me, and feel as much at home as with your own Mrs.
Linwood. I pass a great many lonely hours, while my husband is absent
engaged in business; and it will be a personal favor