There is that confounded Stackpole, now: I vow to heaven, I am sorry I cut the rascal down!--But you dreamed of Braxley! What said the villain ?" "He said," replied Edith, who had listened mournfully, but in silence, to the young man's hasty expressions, like one who was too well acquainted with the impetuosity of his temper to think of opposing him in his angry moments, or perhaps because her spirits were too much subdued by her fears to allow her to play the monitress,--"He said, and frowningly too, 'that soft words were with him the prelude to hard resolutions, and that where he could not win as the turtle, he could take his prey like a vulture;'-- or some such words of anger.

Now, Roland, I have twice before dreamed of this man, and on each occasion a heavy calamity ensued, and that on the following day.

I dreamed of him the night before our uncle died.

I dreamed a second time, and the next day he produced and recorded the will that robbed us of our inheritance.

I dreamed of him again last night; and what evil is now hovering over us I know not;--but, it is foolish of me to say so,--yet my fears tell me it will be something dreadful." "Your fears, I hope, will deceive you," said Roland, smiling in spite of himself at this little display of weakness on the part of Edith.