TALES OF A TOURIST. CONTINUATION OF THE OUTLAW. CHAPTER I. But still her lips refus❜d to send " Farewell;" We promise, hope, believe, there breathes despair. THE morning after Geraldine's depar ture, lady Louisa found two memorials of her, placed in her ladyship's dressingroom, which affected her not a little; a Head of Vesta, and a group, representing Charity, both of her own sculpture, and which proved that her talents must ́havė been exerted, for months, upon subjects which her friend had once expressed a desire to see her execute. Accustomed to the effect produced by the animating presence of Geraldine, which, like light diffused through every part, was rather felt when lost, than valued when possessed, lady Louisa was scarcely prepared for the sudden suspension of interest, produced by the withdrawing of that radiant vision, which had shone, for a time, on her domestic hours. The cottage she planned, the trees she planted, the harp on which she played, were all now neglected, and had lost their power to please; and when lady Louisa compared the active, intelligent, all-pervading spirit—the modest, the beneficent, the tenderly-feeling character, she had driven from these shades, to the envious heart, the rayless mind, of her own daughter could she wonder the discrimi nating O'Melvybshould make his eléction in favour of the stranger an election in which interest at least could not be said to sway him as Matilda was heiress to sir Hoidw t: Charles Charles Southwell's large possessions, while Geraldine just possessed fortune enough not to be denominated a portionless bride. Meanwhile our heroine had been rendered as happy as the warmest welcome, given by Mr. and Mrs. Rainsford to her and her follower, could make her; she was put in possession of a delightful apart ment, and on the morrow Mrs. Rainsford proposed to do the honours of the country to her fair guest. The following morning being fine, the ladies agreed to take an excursion on horseback. The novelty of the scene, as Geraldine had never visited the Black Rock before, the salubrity of the air, and the flattering conversation of Mrs. Rainsford, had put her into a better humour than she had been for some time past. They were however thinking of returning, when the sight of several gentlemen on horseback, in the royal uniform, attracted the attention of the merchant's lady. One of them advanced, at a brisk pace, B 2 pace, before the rest, yet, as he approached, rather endeavoured to check and rein in his spirited charger. He had now saluted Miss Southwell, who discovered, we will not say with how much satisfaction, that it was lord O'Melvyl. Blooming, from renovated health, spirits, and exercise, each beauty heightened by the unexpected pleasure of the meeting, a moment these lovers gazed, in silent and mutual admiration, as if they had seen each other for the first time; but with this admiration was mingled a tender delight, which could only be the result of long and endearing intimacy. Geraldine was the first to recover herself, and, after introducing him to Mrs. Rainsford, blushing, exclaimed-" I little thought to meet you here; I thought you,' by this time, on your way to Meadows court." "And therefore you fled hither to avoid me. Barbarous, ungrateful Geraldine !" continued O'Melvyl, with a smile of confidence |