I then asked whether she had left no message, and the girl replied that she had left none, but had merely given directions about the kettle and fire, putting, at the same time, sixpence into her hand.

"Very strange," thought I; then dismissing the gypsy girl I sat down by the fire.

I had no wish for tea, but sat looking on the embers, wondering what could be the motive of the sudden departure of Isopel.

"Does she mean to return ?" thought I to myself.

"Surely she means to return," Hope replied, "or she would not have gone away without leaving any message"-- "and yet she could scarcely mean to return," muttered Foreboding, "or she would assuredly have left some message with the girl." I then thought to myself what a hard thing it would be, if, after having made up my mind to assume the yoke of matrimony, I should be disappointed of the woman of my choice.