“He drew me to him, and imprinted a long kiss on my lips; then put me gently back, and left the room.

“I never saw him again, but did I doubt his love?  No, no!  I would sooner doubt my own existence.  We embarked, as you know, in the evening.  That night was beautiful—­just such a one as this—­serene and heavenly.  I stole out on deck when others slumbered, and for a long weary hour paced to and fro.  There was a wild tumult in my soul which would not be stilled, and every restraining effort but fanned the flame that raged within.  A never-to-be-forgotten contest was waged that night, and my heart was the arena.  My guardian angel whispered low, ’Forget the past as a feverish dream; it is not well for thee; forget, forget!’ But the heaven-born accents were suddenly drowned by the wild shriek of my dark destiny—­’Of Lethe’s waters thou shall never taste!  I have shattered the goblet at thy feet, and scattered the draught to the winds of heaven!  Behold the apotheosis of thine idol!  At this shrine shalt thou bow evermore—­evermore!’

“A new impulse was implanted within me; and, impotent to resist, I was impelled onward, and onward, till a chasm yawned at my feet.  Yet a moment I trembled on the brink, then plunged desperately forward.  Mary, listen.  I knelt on the damp, glistening deck, and implored Almighty God to register my words in heaven.  In his awful name and presence, I solemnly swore to love Dudley Stewart alone—­to be his wife, or go down to the tomb as Florence Hamilton.  I rose up calm—­the fierce warring was stilled.  Yet it was not inward peace that succeeded.  My fate was sealed—­the last page of destiny transcribed.

“Time passed on, oblivious of the darkened hours it bore on its broad bosom.  Mary, I have watched for one loved form, and listened for that calm, proud step.  I have loved, and trusted, and believed that we should meet again.  Deluded Florence! a period is put to thy hopes and fears!  Mary, he is married!  All is over for me.  The dull, heavy weight resting upon my heart will soon crush out the life spark, and lay low my proud head.  Ah!  I my cousin, you weep.  I wish that I could; but tears have been too often scornfully repulsed; they come not now at my call.  Oh, Mary, I am weary, weary!  I long for rest, even the rest of the dark, still tomb!  I have no hope—­no wish.  I am passive now.  At last nature has broken the bonds so long forced upon her, and the reaction is strong indeed.  You ask how I received my information:  ah! you need not doubt its authenticity.  Aunt Lizzy and his mother were old friends, and she received a letter the day before my father died, announcing his approaching union with a beautiful cousin!  I am deservedly punished:  I worshiped the creature and forgot the God.  I needed a desperate remedy, and it is administered.”

As Florence concluded she leaned heavily against a tree, and raised her eyes to the jeweled vault above.  Just then a dense black cloud, which had floated up from the west, passed directly over the moon, obscuring the silvery rays.  She pointed to it, and said, in a low, mournful voice—­“How typical of my life and heart; shut out from joy and hope in one brief hour, unlike it ever to be brightened again.”