ng his face in an unconscious manner aside, he said aloud,
evidently rather giving utterance to his thoughts than pursuing the
discourse,--

"Now, is there nothing more in this than what I have often heard, and yet
does it come over my feelings with the freshness of native air!" Then
rising, he approached his mild and dignified companion, adding, in tones
but little above a whisper, "Lady repeat those words; change not a
syllable, nor vary the slightest intonation of the voice, I pray thee."

Though amazed, and secretly alarmed at the request, Mrs Wyllys complied;
delivering the holy language of the inspired writers with a fervour that
found its support in the strength of her own emotions. Her auditor
listened like a being enthralled. For near a minute, neither eye nor
attitude was changed, but he stood at the feet of her who had so simply
and so powerfully asserted the majesty of God, as motionless as the mast
that rose behind him through the decks of that vessel which he had so long
devoted to the purposes of his lawless life. It was long after her accents
had ceased to fall on his ear, that he drew a deep respiration, and once
again opened his lips to speak.

"This is re-treading the path of life at a stride." he said, suffering his
hand to fall upon that of his companion. "I know not why pulses, which in
common are like iron, beat so wildly and irregularly now. Lady, this
little and feeble hand might check a temper that has so often braved the
power of"--

His words suddenly ceased; for, as his eye unconsciously followed his
hand, it rested on the still delicate, but no longer youthful, member of
the governess Drawing a sigh, like one who felt himself awakened from an
agreeable though complete illusion he turned away, leaving his sentence
unfinished.

"You would have music!" he recklessly exclaimed aloud. "Then music shall
be heard, though its symphony be rung upon a gong!"

As he spoke, the wayward and vacillating being we have been attempting to
describe struck the instrument he named three blows, so quick and
powerfully, as to drown all other sensations in the confusion produced by
the echoing din. Though deeply mortified that he had so quickly escaped
from the influence she had partially acquired, and secretly displeased at
the unceremonious manner in which he had seen fit to announce his
independence again, the governess was aware of the necessity of concealing
her sentiments.

"This is certainly not th