I known that you were ignorant of the fact, I should have written
months ago."

"Is it certain that he is gone?" I asked. "Did you see him? Did Mr.
Brahan? How did you learn, what we have vainly sought to know?"

"Mr. Brahan had business with Mr. Harland, and having neglected some
important items, followed him on board the ship in which he embarked. It
was at night, and he remained but a short time; but he caught a glimpse
of your husband, whom he immediately recognized, but who gave him no
opportunity of speaking to him. Knowing he was a friend of Mr.
Harland's, he supposed he had come on board to bid him farewell, though
he was not aware of his being in the city. When we heard the rumor of
the tragic scenes in which he acted so dread a part, and connected it
with the time of Mr. Harland's departure, Mr. Brahan recalled Mr.
Linwood's unexpected appearance in the ship, and the mystery was
explained. But we dreamed not that his departure was unknown to you. If
you had only written to us!"

It was strange that I had never thought of the possibility of their
knowing any thing connected with Ernest. Mr. Harland was the only
gentleman with whom he was on terms of intimacy, the only one to whom we
thought of applying in the extremity of anxiety.

"Has the ship been heard from? What was its name?" I asked, unconscious
of the folly of my first question.

"Not yet. It was called the 'Star of the East.' A beautiful and
hope-inspiring name. Mr. Brahan can give you Mr. Harland's address. You
can write to your husband through him. Every thing is as clear as
noonday. Do you not already inhale the fragrance of the opening flowers
of joy?"

I tried to smile, but I fear it was a woful attempt. Even the scent of
the roses had been crushed out of my heart.

"Your brother is an exceedingly interesting young man," she observed,
perceiving that I could not speak without painful agitation of Ernest.
"I have never seen a stranger who won my regard so instantaneously."

"Dear Richard!" I cried, "he is all that he seems, and far more. The
noblest, kindest, and best. How sad that such a cloud darkens his young
manhood!"

"It will serve as a background to his filial virtues and bring them out
in bright and beautiful relief. I admire, I honor him a thousand times
more than if he were the heir of an unspotted name, a glorious ancestry.
A father's crimes cannot reflect shame on a son so pure and upright.
Besides, he bears another name, an