Charles, if we had never met, you would be happier--I could not be more wretched." "Flora, Flora, do you say these words of so great cruelty to try my love ?" "No, as Heaven is my judge, I do not." "Gracious Heaven, then, what do they mean ?" Flora shuddered, and Henry, coming up to her, took her hand in his tenderly, as he said,-- "Has it been again ?" "It has." "You shot it ?" "I fired full upon it, Henry, but it fled." "It did--fly ?" "It did, Henry, but it will come again--it will be sure to come again." "You--you hit it with the bullet ?" interposed Mr.Marchdale.

"Perhaps you killed it ?" "I think I must have hit it, unless I am mad." Charles Holland looked from one to the other with such a look of intense surprise, that George remarked it, and said at once to him,-- "Mr.Holland, a full explanation is due to you, and you shall have it." "You seem the only rational person here," said Charles.

"Pray what is it that everybody calls '_it_ ?'" "Hush--hush!" said Henry; "you shall hear soon, but not at present." "Hear me, Charles," said Flora.

"From this moment mind, I do release you from every vow, from every promise made to me of constancy and love; and if you are wise, Charles, and will be advised, you will now this moment leave this house never to return to it." "No," said Charles--"no; by Heaven I love you, Flora! I have come to say again all that in another clime I said with joy to you.

When I forget you, let what trouble may oppress you, may God forget me, and my own right hand forget to do me honest service." [Illustration] "Oh! no more--no more!" sobbed Flora.
"Yes, much more, if you will tell me of words which shall be stronger than others in which to paint my love, my faith, and my constancy." "Be prudent," said Henry.