wonder that it is hard for me to part with her. Hundreds of times she has fallen asleep on my bosom as you saw her to-night, and more than all, she has the blood of my own people in her veins."

Ten years had passed away, and Baron Waldberg, as well, as Lady Eleanor regarded her as fondly as if she had been their own child. Not the least intelligence had ever been received respecting Rodovan, although he promised to return in one year. Amid all the comforts of her new home, Amine had never forgotten him. She thought of him when she wandered in the lonely forest-paths, or sat alone in the still evening. That stormy evening, too, when she nestled closely to his bosom, and could scarcely hear his kind and cheering words, for the howlings of the tempest often came back to her. The

He now turned abruptly away, and told Gaspar he was ready to go. It was now midnight, and the fury of the tempest was spent. Stars began to look through the torn skirts of the clouds, and the wind was heard only in low and hollow murmurs. Rodovan did not sleep, but lay watching from his window the first appearance of dawn. With its first faint glimmer he rose, and descending to the stables, fed his horse,image of her young and beautiful mother, as she and before the people were astir in the castle, recommended her to Rodovan's protection, filled was on his way. a still holier place in her memory. She was the one bright angel of her dreams, and the imaginary guardian of her waking hours.

When Amine awoke in the morning, and beheld every thing look strange around her, and found that her protector was not near her, she felt very lonely and desolate, but she did not weep. When Lady Eleanor found she was awake, she went to her bed and kissed her, and spake kindly to her; but the child's heart yearned for the kind, familiar voice of him who was already far away.

The feuds of the turbulent barons of that period, often gave employment to Baron Waldberg and his retainers. It was after an absence of several months, that he returned with a young gentleman in his train, whom he had fallen in with on the road, and invited to share the hospi

"Will he come back again?" said she totalities of the castle. Though his appearance Lady Eleanor, who was trying to persuade her to eat some breakfast, and when she replied, "not to-day," her lips quivered and her large, soft eyes filled with tears. Although told that he would not return, she took her station at a window commanding a view of the mountain-pass that led to the castle, whence nothing could entice her for more than a few minutes at a time, and whenever she saw a horseman advancing in the distance, her whole heart seemed sent forth in the earnest and wistful gaze with which she regarded him. Many days she watched for his return, and when she found he came not, her affections began to wind themselves round Lady Eleanor, and she began to listen with a truthful and confiding heart to her soothing words. Soon that happy abandonment of spirit, with which childhood itself gives up to the pleasures of the passing hour gave the rose to her cheek and sunshine to her brow. The old castle began to echo to her footsteps, and her mirthful laugh, and the clear, bird-like music of her voice. With the dog by her side, the same that regarded her and her protector so suspiciously the night of their arrival at the castle, she soon began to wander by the shores of the wild mountain stream, to explore the recesses of the deep and solemn forest, and to roam over the breezy hill, her dark locks floating on the wind.

was very youthful, he was tall, and of a most noble presence. At his entrance, he removed his cap enriched with fur, and revealed a broad, open brow, shaded with hair dark as night. Eyebrows equally dark, arching a pair of deep-set eyes which seem ever to change with the varying passions of the mind, a somewhat high but well shaped nose, a firm and handsome mouth, with a sweet expression of countenance, were, perhaps, a better letter of recommendation than any he might have carried in his pocket. They were so, at least, to Amine. On the other hand, it would have been unnatural for any young man who had the least perception of the beautiful, even had his affections been preëngaged, to have regarded her with sentiments which did not partake of pleasure and admiration. Living in almost perfect seclusion, Lady Eleanor consulted her own taste in the room of fashion, relative to her protege's costume. On the present occasion, over a skirt of rich satin, she wore another of light and flowing texture, deeply embroidered with gold. A satin vest, which was fitted exactly to her form, and a purple, gold embroidered tunic, over which, far below her waist, fell her rich, glossy hair, like a dark veil, made her appearance in the eyes of the young stranger as beautiful as it was novel.

As all were about to seat themselves at the well and plentifully supplied board, the arrival of

two other guests was announced. As they drew | you in a convent, or to get rid of you by still near the door of the hall, the stranger who first baser means, that he might obtain possession of arrived, whispered a few words to Baron Wald-a large estate which fell to your father. I reberg, and hurried from the room in an opposite direction.

He who first entered, wore the habit of a Spanish gentleman of rank, and had apparently attained life's meridian. The other, who appeared in the humbler guise of an attendant, was in person tall and athletic, and his complexion was very dark. The attention of both was immediately directed to Amine, who appeared to interest them nearly as deeply as the savory viands which the Baron and his lady pressed them to partake. Her eyes drooped beneath their gaze, 'till their long lashes almost rested upon her cheeks, which glowed like the half-panied hither." folded leaves of the morning rose.

After supper, the Spanish gentleman requested a private interview with the Baron. They had no sooner left the hall, than his attendant, drawing Amine aside, inquired of her if she remembered Rodovan, who ten years before brought her to the castle.

"I can never marry his son," said she, as her thoughts turned to the young and handsome stranger who arrived in company with the baron.

"That you shall not," he replied, "if when you come to see him you do not like him—not if there be any wit in this head, or strength in "Not these arms. Yet this much will I say for him, he is a handsome, noble-minded youth, and every way fitted to win the heart of a fair maiden."

apt to be lightly valued. As respects your cousin Philip, it is too late to think of preventing him from coming. Though my husband and myself, certainly will not compel you to accept him, we shall endeavor to redeem the promise we made your uncle, as far as is proper. For your own part, guard well your heart, and remember that a deceitful tongue may utter flattering words and sing pleasant songs."

joined with the most passionate epithets, fre- upon one who appears in the character of an quently occurred during the song. As strain adventurer-that which is readily won being too after strain, each sweeter than the former, arose to her ear, the thought of what Rodovan had told her respecting her cousin Philip, grew more and more painful, and by the time the musician had closed his first song, she had come to a firm resolution to reject his suit, however strenuously urged by his father in his behalf. At the close of the second song, more passionate and tender than the first, she again heard the oars dip into the water and left the window lest her white night-dress should be discerned through the gloom, when it emerged from the shadow of the building. The music appeared to have a soothing effect upon her mind, for when she again sought her pillow, she soon fell into a deep and refreshing sleep. In the morning when she descended to breakfast, her heart fluttered, and her cheeks glowed at the idea of meeting the midnight minstrel, but he did not make his appearance. Her uncle was present, and treated her with great affability and politeness. Rodovan, too, from the lower end of the table, contemplated her with as much pride and satisfaction as if she had been his own daughter. When the meal was finished, Don Diego D'Alvarez mentioned that circumstances rendered it necessary for him to depart.

"My friends, the Baron, and his lady," said he, taking his niece by the hand, "have promised to use their influence in forwarding the suit of my son, whenever he may arrive, and you will pardon a father, my dear Amine, when I say that his gifts both of mind and person are such as ought to recommend him to your favor.

Amine blushed and murmured some unintelligible reply, for Ferdinand was in her mind, and her heart revolted at the idea of receiving the addresses of her cousin, whom she felt assured she could never love. Rodovan, much to her satisfaction, she found was going to remain for the present at the castle, her uncle finding it necessary to furnish himself with an attendant more familiar with the country through which he was going to journey. As soon as her uncle took leave, Amine sought Lady Eleanor to beg she would use her influence with the Baron to send a messenger to Spain, to dissuade her cousin Philip from undertaking his contemplated journey to the castle. Lady Eleanor smiled and asked what possible objection she could have to his coming. Amine cast her eyes to the ground, but made no reply.

"I think I could answer for you," said Lady Eleanor, "but will content myself with warning you against bestowing your heart too lightly

A little anger, in spite of her efforts to suppress it, was mingled with the feeling of shame awakened by these last words, and when Lady Eleanor requested her to sing a song, and accompany it with her lute, she felt half inclined to refuse. Her anger was like the April cloud, however, that soon flits away, and with an emotion of selfreproach for having indulged it, she took up her lute and sung one of the popular songs of the time with even more pathos and sweetness than usual.

A few days afterwards, Lady Eleanor said to Amine, "The Baron and I have been thinking of giving a masquerade. We have received sure information that your cousin, Philip D' Alvarez will be here a week from Wednesday next, and we are not unwilling to honor him by some rare entertainment. We shall invite all the gentry within forty miles, who will not fail to provide themselves with magnificent dresses, but we must not suffer you to be outdone."

"Were I to consult my own inclination," replied Amine, "I would adopt the simple habit of an Hungarian peasant girl. I once dressed myself in it for sport, and thought it became me better than a richer dress."

"It would become you, undoubtedly, but one more splendid would become you much better. I lately read the story of a beautiful princess, whose dress was described as being so charming, that I wish you to exactly imitate it.”

Amine readily yielded the point, for she thought much more of meeting her cousin Philip, than of her dress. She felt glad of an opportunity to appear in his presence for the first time so disguised that he would be unable to distinguish her from others, while; with the assistace of Rodovan, she felt sure of being able to detect him.

During the intermediate time, she and Ferdinand often met, but in their intercourse, though so frequent, he never, for a moment, forgot that respect and deference, prescribed by the romantic spirit of chivalry common to the period. Once, and only once, he ventured to press the snowy

"By this good sword, you wrong him. The heart of Philip D'Alvarez is not a mercenary one," he exclaimed somewhat impetuously. Amine raised her large, dark eyes to his with a hale, for a moment, the fresh air from an open look of surprize.

hovered near you unseen, and once, when your || the departure of his father and Rodovan, set out horse took fright—but why should I recall what you may have forgotten?"