r's forgetfulness, than of fear for his
safety. There were moments when Ellinor silently mourned and pined; but
she loved her sister not less even than her cousin; and in the
prospect of Madeline's happiness, did not too often question the future
respecting her own.

One evening, the sisters were sitting at their work by the window of
the little parlour, and talking over various matters of which the Great
World, strange as it may seem, never made a part.

They conversed in a low tone, for Lester sat by the hearth in which a
wood fire had been just kindled, and appeared to have fallen into
an afternoon slumber. The sun was sinking to repose, and the whole
landscape lay before them bathed in light, till a cloud passing
overhead, darkened the heavens just immediately above them, and one of
those beautiful sun showers, that rather characterize the spring than
autumn, began to fall; the rain was rather sharp, and descended with a
pleasant and freshening noise through the boughs, all shining in the sun
light; it did not, however, last long, and presently there sprang up
the glorious rainbow, and the voices of the birds, which a minute before
were mute, burst into a general chorus, the last hymn of the declining
day. The sparkling drops fell fast and gratefully from the trees, and
over the whole scene there breathed an inexpressible sense of gladness--

"The odour and the harmony of eve."

"How beautiful!" said Ellinor, pausing from her work--"Ah, see the
squirrel, is that our pet one? he is coming close to the window, poor
fellow! Stay, I will get him some bread."

"Hush!" said Madeline, half rising, and turning quite pale, "Do you hear
a step without?"

"Only the dripping of the boughs," answered Ellinor.

"No--no--it is he--it is he!" cried Madeline, the blood rushing back
vividly to her cheeks, "I know his step!"

And--yes--winding round the house till he stood opposite the window, the
sisters now beheld Eugene Aram; the diamond rain glittered on the locks
of his long hair; his cheeks were flushed by exercise, or more probably
the joy of return; a smile, in which there was no shade or sadness,
played over his features, which caught also a fictitious semblance of
gladness from the rays of the setting sun which fell full upon them.

"My Madeline, my love, my Madeline!" broke from his lips.

"You are returned--thank God--thank God--safe--well?"

"And happy!" added Aram, with a deep meaning in the tone of h