Whether the latter was apprised of the promises and engagements, which the son had plighted to the virtuous Isabel, may be questioned. If the information were imparted, we must presume, either that Montfort basely gave, or permitted to be entertained, impressions derogatory to the pure and blameless character of the forsaken girl; or else that the pride of the patrician, coupled with other and favorite views in behalf of Montfort, impelled the father to exercise his parental authority in forbidding a connection with the fair stranger to be thought of more. The latter was the inference, it is proper to state, which Montfort himself was desirous to have received by those, who were acquainted with his previous conduct and professions towards Isabel; and, if true, his volatile attachments, which time and absence had united more effectually to estrange from her modest charms, made submission to the paternal will no ways difficult or objectionable. But, on either of the foregoing suppositions, it cannot be doubted that the opulent and highminded father made provision for the remittance of adequate supplies to enable the hapless maiden to defray the pecuniary demands which her continued residence at H- had, in the interval, rendered unavoidable, and to furnish her and the equally unoffending little partner of her disappointments, with the means of returning to the distant home they had left. Yet, certain it is, not one dollar of such provision ever reached its intended destination; and, if entrusted to Montfort, it was diverted and abused to his after flagitious courses.

Another voyage was arranged for Montfort; and once more in the Mermaid he embarked, to proceed first to a West-Indian port. Alas! could the eye of the father have followed him thither, the hopes and encouragements he had begun recently more fondly to entertain, had been bitterly dashed, and the last cheering augury had forever been crushed. Montfort there gave himself up to the most shameless revels. He was equally notorious for libertinism and intemperance; and so offensive was his conduct at a respectable boarding-house, where he took residence shortly after his arrival at the port, that the other guests made unanimous representations to the conductor of the estab→ lishment, that they would all leave and seek accommodations elsewhere, unless Montfort were forthwith dismissed.

And thus this young man,-gentleman he cannot be called,-who, by his connections, might have enjoyed an honorable reception in many of the best families of the populous and flourishing city where this occurrence took place, had his deportment but proved tolerably decorous, was expelled with disgrace his very boarding-house. He then betook himself for quarters to the Mermaid. Whether by the influence of similar propensities, or the contagion of sottish example, the officers. and others of the ship's complement had become, in like manner, noted for gross irregularities, and the former were known, together with their reckless young master, to soak themselves frequently to complete ebriety.

Among the vessels then in port, it chanced that Capt. Ashton's was one. During his visits on shore, accident threw Montfort repeatedly in his way, and it was there that his acquaintance with him commenced. He sedulously shunned, however, a familiar intercourse with the unblushing profligate, and ever declined the invitations, which were pressed upon him to visit the latter on ship-board.

Not long after, Capt. Ashton set sail for Europe, bound to the port which Montfort had visited on his former voyage, and in the neigborhood of which he had left, as related, the faithful Isabel. Montfort knew of his going thither, yet sent her, by this convenient medium, neither letter nor message. It was not, indeed, till Capt. Ashton's arrival at H― that he learned any of the circumstances of the union contemplated between that now neglected lady and her former suitor. He was apprised of the particulars from several benevolent friends, whose sympathies and respect for the unfortunate Isabel had been awakened by her many amiable qualities, her interesting appearance, and the unmerited and as yet inexplicable desertion of her by Montfort. For it appeared that hitherto no communications had been transmitted to her from him, and she was left to pine under the injuriousness of such silence, and vainly to conjecture the causes which induced it. Still she clung to the unshaken conviction of his fidelity and truth, and would listen to nothing that reflected even distantly upon, or, in the least, criminated, the honor or the worth of her idolized Montfort. During the tedious interim since his departure, as one weary month succeeded another, she had diligently availed herself of every opportunity for improvement. Personally, her accomplishments and charms now admitted of no further grace. Lovelier than the blushing morn of early May, she seemed the sweet abstraction of beauty's self; but, all unconscious of such fascination, she only sought to add to the embellishments of her mind. In pursuit of these, her ever stimulating motive was to render herself more worthy the admiration, and of the respectful as well as tender homage of her absent Montfort. If the unbidden tear occasionally started to her eye and dimmed its lustre, as the thought of his protracted separation and silence arose in her mind, it was quickly brushed away. For she reassured herself by the remembrance of his parting, impassioned declarations, and reflected that the lengthened delay of his return would enable her, by unabating ardor for higher improvement, to appear doubly estimable in his eyes when the period of absence should once be terminated. Already she had made distinguished proficiency in the English tongue, and had obtained a competent knowledge of the French, in addition to a polished accuracy in her own familiar and silver-toned Spanish. The accomplished governess, in whose charge she remained, contracted the sincerest friendship for her fair protège, and nought but respect to the character and expectations of an affianced bride of the wealthy Montfort, prevented her from making proposals to Isabel to assume with her a partnership in the responsible and yet lucrative cares of her popular seminary.

Capt. Ashton, on learning her situation, and the lively interest it inspired, communicated the fact of his having recently met with Montfort; and, though he had little information to impart of an encouraging nature, and, withal, naturally surprised in finding himself the bearer of no tidings,-not even a kindly salutation,-from Isabel's reputed lover, yet expressed a willingness to visit the lady and give such intelligence as might tend, in some measure, to allay her anxieties. Accompanied, therefore, by a respectable inhabitant of H- he called and was introduced. Had not a sense of delicacy withheld him from wounding more deeply the peace of Isabel, by disclosing what he

knew of the flagrant misdemeanors, and the unprincipled habits of Montfort, he could not have found it in his heart to break the information after witnessing the state of her mind and the unfaltering strength of her attachment. He spoke not, therefore, of the dissipation and dissoluteness of that recreant; or, if he did, it was only in cautious and distant allusions, which Isabel would but faintly comprehend. Her affections seemed so confiding and ardent, that the plainest disclosures would probably have been little credited; and who would blast at a word that comfort in another, which the slow canker of time would full surely corrode and consume?

The appearance of Isabel, as described by Capt. Ashton, was at this time interesting in the extreme. Her countenance exhibited an expression slightly pensive, and perhaps, thereby, it was more peculiarly winning; and the traits of character, which it disclosed, bespoke irresistibly both favor and respect. Her manners, which were simple and graceful, were marked by that air of due modesty and feminine reserve, which can never be successfully affected. Annette was present at the interview, a pretty little Miss, scarcely less engaging for her years, but whose sprightlier looks indicated that she was a stranger at least to much of that anxiety, which had begun so early to waste the joys and shadow the once fair hopes of her elder sister.

Isabel inquired anxiously of her visiter concerning Montfort. She asked if no letters were entrusted from him to Capt. Ashton to be delivered to her hands;-what prospects there were of Montfort's speedy coming to H-, and whither the calls of business had led him during his lengthened absence. She interrogated him most tenderly respecting his health and welfare; and all the love of a betrothed maiden flashed from her full dark eyes as she pursued these and other inquiries.

Capt. Ashton, it should be noted, was trained up, like most of his profession, with no tincture of sickly sentimentality in his composition; nor more of weakness could his feelings ever betray than any heart susceptible of generous emotions at all. But he confessed to the writer of these sketches, that the interview just recorded was one of the most affecting incidents of his life. He added, with a sensibility, which did honor to his character, that he left the interesting Isabel with grief that he could not more effectually relieve her solicitudes, nor save her the further disappointments she must feel in the continued mysterious silence of Montfort.

While Capt. Ashton remained at H-, there was a public exhibition of the state of the seminary and the progress of its pupils, at which the two sisters had been placed. It was attended by numbers of the respectable gentry from the vicinity. He was also invited to be present. He represented that the appearance and attainments of Isabel attracted peculiar attention, and were remarked by all with applause.

From H-Capt. Ashton shortly proceeded to another port, whence he sailed direct for the United States. Leaving him for the present we will next turn to inquire for Montfort.

The latter, meanwhile, had left the West-Indies and departed for A—————, in the Low Countries. His term of stay there is not known ; but it appears that, during it, he transmitted thence not one line, nor one farthing of remittance, to her, all whose hopes centred in him. His going thither was not even known to Isabel, much less his prox

imity, while there, dreamed of by her. In proceeding to, and returning from A- it was necessary for Montfort to pass almost within gunshot of the harbor of H-; and can it be supposed that no sympathy, not one stirring of compunction, wrought within his breast as he looked upon those green hills, within whose seclusion that gentle and guileless spirit still nursed her languishing hopes?

Tracing his further wanderings, we next find him making a port in the Brazils. From motives, which it is vain to examine, and perhaps scarcely known to his own wayward mind, he there determined on a stay of some months. By an unlooked-for channel, intelligence of this was brought to Isabel. The resolution, which she framed in consequence, marked the ardor and adventurousness of that love of woman, stronger than death," which conscious of purity, when in quest of its chosen aim, no obstacles can withstand nor no dangers appall.

Her long experience of the bitterness of "hope deferred;"-despair of at least soon seeing, otherwise, him whom she had fondly and faithfully loved; the surviving faith of that unsuspecting affection, which led her to presume that she must be of equal estimation in the eyes of one, whose image reigned triumphant in her bosom,-all impelled her to the purpose of undertaking a voyage, remote and dreary though it should be, across the Western Ocean, that she might once more behold and rejoin the object of her attachment. Perhaps the consciousness of the straitened state of her still narrowing stock of funds-a fact which could not be disguised from herself, and which threatened, if she continued in her present situation, the humiliating alternative of dependence, this, to repeat, may have lent the color of reasonableness to her views of the propriety of the step which she planned. But she justified her decision on other grounds. Did any whisper the unworthiness of Montfort, or hint the rumors of his criminal courses? Her presence might admonish and reclaim him. Did they suggest the possible decay or alienation of his affections, and that all his former protestations of undying attachment would only prove as the "dicer's oaths?" Could she doubt on being restored to him with those charms still blushing, which first won his love, and with that proof of devotion, which her following him over a mighty waste of waters would heroically offer, that his tenderness would not revive and put forth anew, and under the shade of its spreading canopy her own fond spirit might find repose, and taste the sweets of returning happiness? As she dwelt on these gladsome anticipations, she recked not for the privations or endurances that must be encountered ere realizing her bright visions; and ill could she have brooked any hindrance to the immediate execution of her purpose.

An opportunity was not long in presenting itself for the fulfilment of her wishes. At that time, in the harbor of H-, was the Loire,-a French vessel, destined for the very port in the Brazils whence tidings of Montfort had reached the ear of Isabel. It was navigated by Mons. Hilaire, a commander of experience and irreproachable worth. The friends of Isabel interested themselves in arranging for her passage, and recommending her to the kindly attentions and protecting care of that excellent man. Her chief solicitude was in behalf of her younger sister; but in this she was relieved by the cordial offer of the friendly and matronly governess, in whose charge they each had hitherto been,

to retain the affectionate Annette, and watch over her with parental concern till the return of Isabel, or till her further pleasure should be known. The inadequateness of the latter's means, altogether precluded the additional cost of another's passage. And, whatever might be the comfort of a sister's presence, Isabel would naturally have been unwilling, from mere selfish considerations, to have taken along with her so young a creature, and subjecting her to a share in those exposures and inconveniences incident to a long voyage, which, nevertheless, she herself was willing to brave, in hope of the ultimate happiness her heart promised her in store.

The day at length arrived when Isabel was to take leave of that dear retreat, in which she had spent so many pleasing hours followed by others, and more, of bitterness. A few impassioned kisses were exchanged with her beloved Annette, mingled with a flood of mutual tears; and kindest farewells were reciprocated with the amiable guardian, who esteemed them each as her own. Embarked under the protection of M. Hilaire, she experienced from him both the courtesy and deference she had been encouraged to expect. The vessel encountered two or three severe gales, which it safely outrode, and without other accidents deserving of note, arrived, after a passage of a few weeks, at the destined strand.

The mingled feelings, with which Isabel set foot upon a shore where she doubted not of soon finding her loved Montfort, we will not attempt to portray. She lost no time in inquiring his address; and, ascertaining that he had taken a residence in the suburban quarter of O, she procured a conveyance to repair thither. As the vehicle wound up the rugged acclivity, crowned by that romantic bourg, how did she chide its tardy pace! Fain would she have taken wings, and flown to her Montfort's home. To repress impatience, or to still the crowding and yet joyous emotions, which agitated her breast, was all in vain. But already was she nigh the wished-for abode; soon was she to behold anew the form of her Montfort, and, after following him across an ocean of a thousand leagues, she persuaded herself that she was forthwith to have all her trials requited, and every dream of bliss abundantly realized. Like a dove, long separated from a protecting mate, weary of wandering, but happy in the prospect of soon regaining its peaceful haunt,-like such a lone fugitive, whom this friendless maiden resembled not more in simplicity than in constancy, she hoped ere long to drop her aching head on the bosom of one, whose affections she felt would only be redoubled by the steadiness of her own attachment,―of one, who, thenceforth, would never cease to protect her, nor "suffer the winds of heaven to visit her face too roughly."

Alas, poor innocent! Little didst thou list the cruel reception, which awaited thee.

The dwelling of Montfort was beheld. In a moment, Isabel was at the door. She saw him whom her bosom idolized; and, almost fainting for excess of joy, rushed towards his embrace.

And how was she greeted?

Montfort at first regarded her with the appearance of real astonishment; then, without one sweetening word, or sign of kindly welcome, coldly inquired the object of her coming without a summons from him; demanded the particulars of her voyage, and whether alone or attended