al of my spirit--truth and
simplicity: the fates forbid, and henceforth I am nought! Never again
look up, O maiden, to my window, when the morning sun shines on it, as
you pass to school--expect to see me in those fair domains no more!
Henceforth I am a wanderer, and am homeless. In my bark, named in past
days the Rebecca, I will seek some foreign clime, and nevermore return
to these shores. I'll buy me a fiddle in Italy, and hobnob with
gondoliers, singing the songs of Tasso on Venetian waters. Never again
expect to see my face at the window as you go on merrily--I leave my
native shore to-morrow, and am gone!"

With which words--words which terrified the little damsel
profoundly--Sir Asinus folded his arms, and in this position, with a
sad scowl upon his face, passed forth into the night.

As he reached the door of the Raleigh, he perceived Mrs. Wimple and
one or two elderly ladies getting into a chariot; and behind them
Jacques leading Belle-bouche triumphantly toward his small two-seated
vehicle.

Jacques was radiant, and this the reader may possibly understand, if
he will recollect the scheme of this gentleman--to address
Belle-bouche where no fate could interrupt him.

As Sir Asinus passed on, frowning, Jacques cast upon that gentleman a
look which expressed triumphant happiness.

"You won't interrupt me on my way back, will you?" he said, smiling;
"eh, my dear Sir Asinus?"

Sir Asinus ground his teeth.

Belle-bouche was safely stowed into the vehicle--Jacques gathered up
the reins, was about to get in--when, disastrous fate! the voice of
Mrs. Wimple was heard, declaring that the night had grown too cool for
her beloved niece to ride in the open air.

Sir Asinus lingered and listened with sombre pleasure.

In vain did Jacques remonstrate, and Belle-bouche declare the night
delightful: Aunt Wimple, strong in her fears of night air, was
inexorable.

So Belle-bouche with a little pout got down, and Jacques cursing his
evil stars, assisted her into the chariot.

Would he not come in, and spend the night at Shadynook?--they could
make room for him by squeezing, said Aunt Wimple.

No, no, he could not inconvenience them--he would not be able to stay
at Shadynook--he hoped they would have a pleasant journey; and as the
chariot rolled off, the melancholy Jacques gazed after it with an
expression of profound misery.

He felt a hand upon his shoulder; he turned and saw Sir Asinus. But
Sir Asinus was not de