CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Ah! canst thou bid my deep affection yield
To forms that foster happiness no more?

In the course of two days, Angela had so far recovered this melancholy prepossession as to feel inclined, in some degree, to laugh at her own fears. But the very next morning, as they were about to start off on a fishing expedition, a repetition of the harrowing sight was observed by them, and that under circumstances of additional force and clearness, that not only strengthened tenfold all Angela's former fears, but threw the dark cloud of their distrust over the not easily agitated mind of our hero.

He, too, had often of course heard of the Flying Dutchman, and in other times had been anxious to witness that awful sailer of the deep; but now that it appeared before them in all the dread accompaniments of its deathlike state, heightened by their own lone situation, both our young friends wished, from the profoundest depths of their souls, that such a disturbing phantom had never blasted their young sight.

More and more did Ramsay now regret that no ship approached their island, to offer an opportunity of his making Angela his own. Against superstitious terrors, the strongest temperaments are too frequently unable to bear up, and no external security is sufficient to satisfy the mind afflicted with them.

Hitherto he had always had the happiness of seeing Angela leave their mutual room, to seek her solitary pillow, with that cheerful sense of security which was the best guarantee of sound and refreshing slumber.

Now the hour of retiring was prolonged-its approach observed with pain, and morning too often returned without that sense of reinvigorated health, which had always hitherto marked the lovely and blooming countenance of Angela.

With an innocence that knew no thought of harm, her fair expansive brow was offered to the affectionate lip of him who possessed every claim to her gratitude and devotion but those which a husband alone can possess-who

had shown towards her every delicate attention, every effectual protection and support, but those which a husband's sacred duty can alone afford.

Another fortnight passed, and still no ship appeared; but the harrowing spectre of the Flying Dutchman was again observed again produced that nervous unhappiness—that involuntary pining of the mind and body in his companion, which Ramsay noted day by day, with a distress that conveyed its effects to himself.

He could now scarcely doubt that he was for ever shut out from the world; and still more questionable did it begin to appear to him, that two beings whom misfortune had banished from all its refinements and advantages, should have what portion of happiness was still attainable by them marred, abnegated, and destroyed by an over-scrupulous fastidiousness that, arising in an honourable sense of duty, might yet become a means of leading him into the other extreme, if he took not care to view it in the true and proper light.

Another conjecture here arose to his mind: supposing some accident deprived Angela of his assistance and care, how cruel, how miserable would be her lot, condemned to pass the remainder of her days without aim, object, society, or converse—nothing for which to hope, to love, to live— unable to conquer the daily difficulties of existence, and sinking beneath the slow effect of the miseries surrounding her.

But how different would be her lot if they married, and if to the happiness of bestowing on him herself she added the tender title of a parent-she gained, to swell and guard her other joys, those of a mother? If they were destined to live on till years should overtake them, age, that stiffened his limbs and cut short their vigour, would happily, perhaps, have matured those of a son, to cheer the decline of life, and render its other burthens the more easily borne ; while, should his existence be suddenly shortened, how inexpressibly would the dark portals of death be cheered by the knowledge, that the partner of his affections and sorrows was not left behind without some kindred hand to console and care for her!

These were serious considerations not easily to be overlooked; he determined to wait another fortnight, and if no ship appeared in the interim to take them from the island, he then felt that he should be bound, in every point of view, to determine on the course of conduct which he should

adopt for the future guidance of his own life, and that of her whom Providence had committed to his care.

With all the anxiety of one who considers the interval to bear with it matter of the last importance, Ramsay watched the dim horizon during the fortnight succeeding the resolution just mentioned.

The two intervening sabbaths passed, marked by the solemn exercises with which he had always been accustomed to observe them. The last day of the allotted fortnight elapsed, and nothing more than the occasional gleam of a tiny speck on the dim horizon announced the approach of a sail.

When the sun went down he at once abandoned the hope that had so long tormented him, of quitting the island on which he had been deserted, and addressed himself to the consideration of that course of conduct most likely to contribute to the happiness of himself and companion, since they were now to remain upon it in all probability for their lives.

After most mature and deliberate consideration, he was unable to discover any satisfactory reason which forbad his making a proposal of immediate marriage to Miss Livingstone, by that form of written contract which was common in his own country, and which would establish the validity of the union, or the legality of its issue, should relenting fortune ever restore them to their own country.

The only difficulty that now presented itself, was that of breaking to her the conclusion at which he had arrived. Here, however, more fortunate than in many things, chance gave him an opportunity of so doing, in a mode of which he most gladly availed himself.

Within a few days Angela attained her eighteenth year, and on the morning of her birthday, after wishing her a long and happy recurrence of the anniversary, he placed within her hands a paper, folded in the form of a letter, and saying, it was his birthday-offering, requested her to tell him, on his return from shooting, whether it was such a one as she could accept.

"Nay then," replied the fair and laughing girl," since it comes from you, I do accept it and that without a moment's thought or hesitation."

"It is like your generosity to do so," replied Ramsay, lifting her hand to his lips; "but I shall not less esteem the kindness, if you as readily do so after giving it a day's reflection."

"What can it be then ?" demanded she, her colour rising,

and her deep blue eyes sparkling like sapphires with the ingenuous beauty that so distinguished her countenance, raising the packet at the same time with the most eager curiosity, as if no moment should be lost in mastering its mystery.

"Not now-do not read it now, Angela-wait till I am out of sight, and then give it your best consideration. I shall not be back much before sundown. If you accept my birthday gift, I shall find you in our mutual sitting room; if you refuse it, you will have retired to the privacy of your own chamber, and I shall have been spared the pain of your denying the only request the monarch of the isle has ever made to his fair and beloved visiter."

R*

CHAPTER XXXIX.

When thou art by, can I of falsehood dream,
Or falter "No," when nature whispers "Yes?"

SOME hint of Ramsay's meaning, and the nature of the packet, in all probability, here occurred to Angela's mind. The hand which Ramsay held trembled violently-the blood mounted even to the very summit of her clear, ample forehead, and though her eyes were averted towards the ground, Ramsay marked the large tears coursing each other rapidly over the dark silken fringe of lashes, and the war of emotion so visibly raging within her bosom.

Whispering in her ear the oft-repeated vow of affection, and a deep-felt prayer for her happiness, under any circumstances, Ramsay turned away toward the deeper alleys of the forest.

For some time she watched the gradual departure of her lover, as his athletic figure faded into the deep and massive gloom of the distant trees; and Angela remained still sitting on the rustic bench, near which they had parted; her hands were folded before her, and contained the still unopened present of the morning, and her eyes fixed with deep solemnity on the hollow glade.

Still, at intervals, fell those large bright drops, which had traversed over features far too lovely ever to be sullied with a tear. Still the delicate and high-arched nostril showed the ruby current circulating within, from the cause that had so excited her mind-still the finely formed and slightly pouting lip trembled with the nervousness of deep feeling.

The

At last she summoned courage to open the paper and read its contents. The crimson on her neck fled and came during its perusal, like the flashings of the aurora. eye, so framed for the eloquence of every softer feeling, glowed bright and piercingly brilliant. Again and again the brief writing was gone over. The eye, losing its intense brightness, sought the repose and reflection of its own lid. The colour faded altogether from her face, and she reclined her head upon her hands in the attitude of deep thought. Rising from her seat, after a little time thus spent, she