ious sign. When pity drops from the eyes of our judge, then should
the suppliant approach. Now, in confidence of pardon, I will tell you;
this Mervyn, not content with all you have hitherto granted him, has
dared--to _love_ you; nay, to think of you as of _his wife_!"

Her eye sunk beneath mine, and, disengaging her hands, she covered her
face with them.

"I see my fate," said I, in a tone of despair. "Too well did I predict
the effect of this confession; but I will go--_and unforgiven_."

She now partly uncovered her face. The hand was withdrawn from her
cheek, and stretched towards me. She looked at me.

"Arthur! I _do_ forgive thee."--With what accents was this uttered! With
what looks! The cheek that was before pale with terror was now crimsoned
over by a different emotion, and delight swam in her eye.

Could I mistake? My doubts, my new-born fears, made me tremble while I
took the offered hand.

"Surely," faltered I, "I am not--I cannot be--so blessed."

There was no need of words. The hand that I held was sufficiently
eloquent. She was still silent.

"Surely," said I, "my senses deceive me. A bliss like this cannot be
reserved for me. Tell me once more--set my doubting heart at rest."

She now gave herself to my arms:--"I have not words--Let your own heart
tell you, you have made your Achsa----"

At this moment, a voice from without (it was Miss Stedman's) called,
"Mrs. Fielding! where are you?"

My friend started up, and, in a hasty voice, bade me begone. "You must
not be seen by this giddy girl. Come hither this evening, as if by my
appointment, and I will return with you."--She left me in a kind of
trance. I was immovable. My reverie was too delicious;--but let me not
attempt the picture. If I can convey no image of my state previous to
this interview, my subsequent feelings are still more beyond the reach
of my powers to describe.

Agreeably to the commands of my mistress, I hastened away, evading paths
which might expose me to observation. I speedily made my friends partake
of my joy, and passed the day in a state of solemn but confused rapture.
I did not accurately portray the various parts of my felicity. The whole
rushed upon my soul at once. My conceptions were too rapid and too
comprehensive to be distinct.

I went to Stedman's in the evening. I found in the accents and looks of
my Achsa new assurances that all which had lately passed was more than a
dream. She made excuses for leaving the