as hitherto been
undazzled, and my heart untouched.' He pressed her hand.

'And then,' she resumed, 'in a moment; but it seemed not like common
life. That beautiful wilderness, that ruinous castle! As I gazed around,
I felt not as is my custom. I felt as if some fate were impending, as if
my life and lot were bound up, as it were, with that strange and silent
scene. And then he came forward, and I beheld him, so unlike all other
men, so beautiful, so pensive! O Ferdinand! pardon me for loving you!'
and she gently turned her head, and hid her face on his breast.

'Darling Henrietta,' lowly breathed the enraptured lover, 'best, and
sweetest, and loveliest of women, your Ferdinand, at that moment, was
not less moved than you were. Speechless and pale I had watched my
Henrietta, and I felt that I beheld the being to whom I must dedicate my
existence.'

'I shall never forget the moment when I stood before the portrait of
Sir Ferdinand. Do you know my heart was prophetic; I wanted not that
confirmation of a strange conjecture. I felt that you must be an Armine.
I had heard so much of your grandfather, so much of your family. I loved
them for their glory, and for their lordly sorrows.'

'Ah! my Henrietta, 'tis that alone which galls me. It is bitter to
introduce my bride to our house of cares.'

'You shall never think it so,' she replied with animation. 'I will
prove a true Armine. Happier in the honour of that name, than in the
most rich possessions! You do not know me yet. Your wife shall not
disgrace you or your lineage. I have a spirit worthy of you, Ferdinand;
at least, I dare to hope so. I can break, but I will not bend. We will
wrestle together with all our cares; and my Ferdinand, animated by his
Henrietta, shall restore the house.'

'Alas! my noble-minded girl, I fear a severe trial awaits us. I can
offer you only love.'

'Is there anything else in this world?'

'But, to bear you from a roof of luxury, where you have been cherished
from your cradle, with all that ministers to the delicate delights
of woman, to--oh! my Henrietta, you know not the disheartening and
depressing burthen of domestic cares.' His voice faltered as he recalled
his melancholy father; and the disappointment, perhaps the destruction,
that his passion was preparing for his roof.

'There shall be no cares; I will endure everything; I will animate all.
I have energy; indeed I have, my Ferdinand. I have, young as I may be,
I have often ins