t than I believe her, I do not desire to find on
earth one more deserving of her than yourself. I have remarked your
late estrangement from Ellen; and while I guessed, I felt that, however
painful to me, I ought to remove, the cause: she loves you--though
perhaps you know it not--much and truly; and since my earlier life has
been passed in a selfish inactivity, I would fain let it close with the
reflection of having served two beings whom I prize so dearly, and the
hope that their happiness will commence with my death.

"And now, Pelham, I have done; I am weak and exhausted, and cannot bear
more--even of your society, now. Think over what I have last said,
and let me see you again to-morrow: on the day after, I leave England
forever."

CHAPTER LXXVI.

But wilt thou accept not The worship the heart lifts above And the
Heavens reject not, The desire of the moth for the star, Of the night
for the morrow, The devotion to something afar From the sphere of our
sorrow?--P. B. Shelley.

It was not with a light heart--for I loved Glanville too well, not to
be powerfully affected by his history and approaching fate--but with
a chastised and sober joy, that I now beheld my friend innocent of the
guilt my suspicions had accused him of, and the only obstacle to my
marriage with his sister removed. True it was that the sword yet hung
over his head, and that while he lived, there could be no rational
assurance of his safety from the disgrace and death of the felon. In the
world's eye, therefore, the barrier to my union with Ellen would
have been far from being wholly removed; but, at that moment, my
disappointments had disgusted me with the world, and I turned with a
double yearning of heart to her whose pure and holy love could be at
once my recompence and retreat.

Nor was this selfish consideration my only motive in the conduct I was
resolved to adopt; on the contrary, it was scarcely more prominent in my
mind, than those derived from giving to a friend who was now dearer
to me than ever, his only consolation on this earth, and to Ellen, the
safest protection, in case of any danger to her brother. With these, it
is true, were mingled feelings which, in happier circumstances, might
have been those of transport at a bright and successful termination to a
deep and devoted love; but these I had, while Glanville's very life was
so doubtful, little right to indulge, and I checked them as soon as they
arose.

After a sleeple