name, we trust you will, on this occasion, allow us to receive credit from yours." Trevallyn could not remain inflexible to offers of service so kindly and gracefully made. He promised the countess to consider of her proposal; and the recluse and his noble guests parted mutually pleased and interested with each other. "How every new quality you unfold, my Rosamond, delights me!" sir Herbert exclaimed. "It is thus female influence should indeed be exerted. When you boast the privilege of rank and fashion to shield the oppressed, and defend merit insulted, it is then we cheerfully acknowledge its power, and subscribe to the assertion, that there is no friendliness like the friendliness of a warmhearted and ge nerous woman." "Oh, Herbert!" said the countess, while she listened, with moistened eyes, to a beloved husband's praises, "what a usurper is that passion which possesses me! for I fear that my strongest incite ment ment to good actions is the hope of your applause." The interest the countess expressed for Trevallyn did not evaporate in words: she felt sincerely for the unmerited distresses of an ingenious man, whom she had known in the brilliant circles of fashion, and who, though gay, openhearted, and sanguine, had never been immoral or ill-conducted. By degrees the hospitable owners of the Castle of Llanvair drew the solitary recluse from his cell, while the ingenious delicacy of the countess discovered, with the art an amiable woman only possesses, the means, without wounding his jealous love of independence, to add various comforts to his solitary abode. Trevallyn at length produced his manuscript ready for publication; it was entitled, "TALES OF A TOURIST," and, at the suggestion of the lovely countess, had undergone some trifling alterations and amendments. In presenting it, he address ed ed her a few words, in which he spoke the peculiarities of a mind a little shaken from its balance by misfortune." I have obeyed you," he said" by your desire I again go forth to face the severity of the world, to dare the mildew of neglect, or the chilling gales of criticism. May my present venture be successful! may that public I have tried to please, without corrupting, accord a smile of approbation to my labours! If so, I may produce a sequel to them, more animated and worthy of their notice if not, it is the last they shall ever hear of the unfortunate TREVALLYN." THE OUTLAW. Tu lascerai ogni cosa diletta Più caramente: e questo e quello strale Che l'arco dell' esilio pria saetta Tu proverai. DANTE-Paradiso. |