r seat, she approached nigher to him, and in a
situation where the light of the lamp fell full upon his lineaments. She
saw the large drop that broke out from beneath a long and silken lash, to
roll down a cheek which, though embrowned by the sun, was deepening with a
flush that gradually stole into it, as her own gaze became more settled;
and then her eyes fell slowly and keenly along the person of the lad,
until they reached even the delicate feet, that seemed barely able to
uphold him. The usually pensive and mild countenance of the governess
changed to a look of cold regard, and her whole form appeared to elevate
itself, in chaste matronly dignity, as she sternly asked,--

"Boy, have you a mother?"

"I know not," was the answer that came from lips that scarcely severed to
permit the smothered sounds to escape.

"It is enough; another time I will speak further to you. Cassandra will in
future do the service of this cabin; when I have need of you, the gong
shall be touched."

The head of Roderick fell nearly to his bosom He shrunk from before that
cold and searching eye which followed his form, until it had disappeared
through the hatch, and whose look was then bent rapidly, and not without a
shade of alarm, on the face of the wondering but silent Gertrude.

A gentle tap at the door broke in upon the flood of reflection which was
crowding on the mind of the governess. She gave the customary answer; and,
before time was allowed for any interchange of ideas between her and her
pupil, the Rover entered.

Chapter XXIII.

"I melt, and am not of stronger earth than others."--_Coriolanus_

The females received their visiter with a restraint which will be easily
understood when the subject of their recent conversation is recollected.
The sinking of Gertrude's form was deep and hurried, but her governess
maintained the coldness of her air with greater self-composure. Still,
there was a gleaming of powerful anxiety in the watchful glance that she
threw towards her guest, as though she would divine the motive of the
visit by the wanderings of his changeful eye, even before his lips had
parted in the customary salute.

The countenance of the Rover himself was thoughtful to gravity. He bowed
as he came within the influence of the lamp, and his voice was heard
muttering some low and hasty syllables, that conveyed no meaning to the
ears of his listeners. Indeed, so great was the abstraction in which he
was lo