thoughts, the hopes, the bliss of that hour! The dark curtain that
veils the rankling corruptions of mortality had not yet been lifted
before my staring eyes, and I felt as one gazing at a beautiful world,
and regarded the fair maid as the angel destined to unfold all its
brilliance to my vision, and to hold the chalice to my lips while I
sipped the nectar of perennial felicity. Alas, that such moments are
brief! They fly like the dreams of a startled slumberer, and when they
vanish once, they are gone forever!

"Without calling at my lodgings for the usual refreshments, I hovered
about the mansion of Mrs. Arras till lights were gleaming in the
parlour, and then entered. Laura received me with a smile, and the
complaisant matron gave me an encouraging welcome.

"'You are pale this evening, Mr. Glenn,' said Mrs. Arras, in a
good-humoured, though bantering manner. 'Are you subject to sudden
attacks of illness?'

"'I assure you I never enjoyed better health in my life, and feel no
symptoms of indisposition whatever,' I replied, but at that moment I
chanced to gaze at a mirror, and was startled at my haggard
appearance. But when Mrs. Arras withdrew, (which she did soon after my
arrival,) the affable and lovely Laura banished every thought of my
condition. My wan cheek was soon animated with the flush of unbounded
admiration, and my sunken eye sparkled with the effervescence of
enraptured delight. Deep and ineradicable passion was engendering in
my bosom. And from the pleasure indicated in the glitter of Laura's
lustrous eyes, the exquisite smile that dwelt upon her coral lips, and
the gentle though unconscious swellings of her breast, a conviction
thrilled through my soul that my sudden affection was reciprocated.
Hours flew like minutes, and I was surprised by the clock striking ONE
before it occurred to me that it was time to depart. Again I traversed
the streets at that solemn hour, insensible to every feeling, and
regardless of every object but the flaming torch lit up in my heart
and the seraphic image of Laura. At length I was warned by the
scrutinizing gaze of a watchman to repair to my lodgings. But my
pillow afforded no rest. All night long I pondered on the exhilarating
events of the day. Many were the endearing accents that escaped my
lips as I addressed in fancy my beloved Laura. I resolved to declare
my passion ere many weeks should pass. I began to settle in my mind
the plans of life, and then, for the fi