“From such meditations, how horrible to start up amid the dreariness of night, nor find a human heart unto which to appeal for comfort,—­a human voice from which to claim reply in annihilation of the spell that transfixed her mind.  The cold cheerless room, the flickering light, the desolation that was around her, struck more heavily than ever on her heart.  ‘Oh! that this were an omen!’ she cried, with clasping hands, as she listened to the howling of the wind upon the lofty staircase leading to their remote apartments.  Drawing closer over her bosom the wrapper by which she attempted to exclude the piercing night-air, Amelia smiled at the thought of the chilliness of the grave,—­of the grave, where the heart beats not, and the fixed glassy eye is incapable of tears.

“‘I shall lie among the multitudes of a strange country,’ faltered she; ’there will be no one to point out with officious finger to my sons, the dishonoured resting-place of their mother,—­their divorced mother!  Vavasor will be freed from his bondage—­free to choose anew, and commence H more auspicious career.  But for me he might have been a different being.  It is I who have hardened his heart and seared his mind.  And oh! may Heaven in its mercy touch them,—­that he may deal gently with me during the last short remnant of our union!’

“A harsh sound interrupted her contemplations;—­the grating of his key in the outer door,—­of his step in the ante-room.  Mechanically she rose, and advanced to meet the truant who had kept her watching,—­who had so often kept her watching,—­so often been forgiven.  A momentary glimpse of his countenance convinced her that he was in no mood even to wish for indulgence.  His brow was black—­his eyes red and glaring.  After a terrified pause, she tendered him her assistance to unclasp his cloak; but with a deadly execration he rejected the offer.

“‘Are the servants up?’ said he sullenly.

“‘Not yet.’

“‘So much the better!  I must be off before they are on the move.’

“‘Off?  Vavasor!—­for the love of Heaven—­’

“’Be still!  Do not harass me with your nonsense.  I was a fool to come here at all; only it may be necessary for you to know explicitly to what you may trust for the future.’

“Amelia sank stupefied into a chair.

“’In one word, I am a ruined man.  To-night’s losses have made me as hopeless as I ought to have been long ago.  I have lost—­but no matter!—­I know I played like a fool.  What is to be expected from a miserable dog like me, who has thrown away his prospects, and is harassed with all sorts of cares and annoyances?—­No matter!—­To-morrow the thing will be blown; and before my creditors get wind of the business I shall be half way to Brussels.’

“‘To Brussels?’ faltered Amelia.

“’Of course it is out of the question hampering myself with companions of any kind at such a moment.  Besides, my sister has only afforded me the means of getting out of the scrape, on condition that you return to England to your family.  I have no longer the power of maintaining you; but if you are inclined to co-operate in the only plan that can save us both from starving, Sophia will secure you an allowance of fifty or sixty pounds a year.’