ation sufficiently to call at the Lodge, but pursued my journey
to town with a heavy heart.

"From Cornelius and his sister I received the most cordial and
affectionate welcome; but my pleasure was greatly damped by the bad
state of my friend's health: he looked so thin and consumptive, that I
apprehended the worst. This impression gradually wore off; but a few
months confirmed my fears. He was to commence his journey to Dover
early the next morning; and after passing a delightful evening in
company with his aunt and Charlotte, I rose to take leave, as I well
knew that my invalid friend retired at an early hour to bed.

"'Do not go to-night, Philip,' said he. 'It is the last we shall spend
for a long time together. I wish to have a friendly chat with you in my
dressing-room. Charlotte will make one of the party.'

"In a few minutes we were comfortably seated in the snug little room,
before a cheerful fire. My friend in his easy-chair, wrapped in his
dressing-gown, and my own beautiful Charlotte seated on a
gaily-embroidered ottoman at his feet.

"'Here, I feel myself at home,' said Cornelius, taking a hand of each,
pressing them warmly between his own. 'How much I dread this journey!
how painful it is to part with all we love on earth!'

"'Dearest brother, you will return to us quite strong and well after
breathing the warm air of the south,' said Charlotte, who could never
be brought to consider her brother in any danger. 'When we meet in the
spring, you win laugh at your present fears, and we shall be so happy
together.'

"Cornelius smiled faintly. 'I hope it may be so, my sweet Charlotte; to
that hope I cling, though I feel it daily becoming more feeble. Nor
would I leave England, did I not consider it my duty to embrace every
means which may tend to restore me to health and usefulness. But if I
should never return, my little Lady Bird, the world will run on as
merrily as heretofore. I should only be missed by a few faithful
hearts.'

"Poor Charlotte did not answer. Her head sank upon his knee; and I
thought I heard the tears, one by one, fall upon her rich silk dress.

"'Do not anticipate grief, my little sister,' said he, laying his hand
caressingly upon her drooping head. 'Let us be happy to-night, for we
know not what the morrow may bring forth. I wanted to speak to you and
Philip upon a subject very near my heart.'

"After a short pause, he continued with a lively, cheerful voice--'You
and Philip love