support. She would wander for hours along the valley, and visit the hamlets skirting the lake-side, or among the mountains; join the simple shepherd's girl, and prattling with the little village urchins, tending the lowing kine on the hill-side, and looking into the lowliest huts and cottages, to know that every thing went well, with open hand, and a kind look, and word for all-something for infancy, for womanhood, or for age. This she would do with such perfect artlessness, and equality of feeling, that could not fail to win their love; and often in her peasant's hat and cloak would she go beyond these limits, further away into the hills, fearlessly ascending the highest shepherd paths among the mountain cliffs, where the sheep appeared like spots of snow, and the deep falls of water like broad wreathes motionless in their descent; watching the sailing clouds and the sunny rainbows on the fleecy mists over the hills below her feet. There she would often appear to the chaser of the wild deer, and the hunters of the hills, returning to their hamlets, a vision of beauty and unexpected delight bursting upon them in the solitary depths of nature's quiet grandeur and repose. Then did they bless her in the overflowing pleasure and admiration of their hearts, for what is like to the sunny radiance of the pure and blissful countenance of lovely woman, coming upon us unawares in the lovely scenes and unbroken solitudes of the earth. And thus was the eye of the stranger and the traveller often greeted; making the spirits glad and the heart to leap up, for a moment, as they passed along their way, with a feeling of courtesy and a look of proud delight: and what a deal may be crowded into one silent meeting, a single glance, à salute, as it were, of the soul, and we pass on never to behold the bright vision again. There is much of melancholy, if we think of it, in all this; but it has a mournful sweetness in it at the time, on which we delight to dwell.

Never but in one of these pleasing and incidental surprises had the casual passenger ventured beyond more than an admiring look; but, one summer evening, turning into the path near her father's house, what was Caroline's surprise on observing a stranger at her side, whom she had before encountered in a distant part of her walk. He had caught a transient view of her countenance, and he had continued to gaze long after she had passed. He was an enthusiast in

every thing he thought and did, when once he had renounced, for a season, the busy and bustling haunts of men, to wander amidst the glories of a mightier world he loved. There was something inexpressibly new and touching to him in the beautiful apparition in such a scene, journeying in one of those inexpressive, fitful, and musing moods, which only a solitary pedestrian tourist knows. Involuntarily, and with the impetuosity of indulged delight, he returned upon his steps, he held her in his eye, and when he beheld her about to disappear in a beautiful embowered walk, leading to a spacious garden and mansion, among clustering flowers and trees, he could no longer resist the temptation of an excuse to catch a glimpse of her face again. He must speak now or he would never behold her more.

"Will you forgive me," said he in a timid and disturbed tone, "I am sorry so to intrude, but I have lost my way among the hills: I would-I dare not accost you, till you reached hither, lest I might displease-alarm you; which I trust I have not done."

This was said in so appealing yet courteous a manner, that Caroline had not the heart to be angry had she so wished, and assuring him, in the sweetest voice he ever heard, there was not the slightest reason for such apology, pointed to her home, where she said her father would be glad to give him better information than she had in her power to bestow. The traveller blushed at the subterfuge of which he had been guilty, while he exulted in the thought of its unhoped for success, that he should not only again see, but enter under the same roof, over the same threshold with her, and perhaps :

"To sit and hear her all the while

Softly speak and sweetly smile."

Caroline, as she drew near the home, half repented of what, in her kind artlessness and courtesy of her nature, she had offered. Yet, "she had no reason why," and resuming a free and unembarrassed air, together they walked into the garden, into the house, and together they appeared before her father. Never had he before greeted her thus accompanied, and a slight start of surprise brought the kindling blushes in Caroline's face. They both seemed to suffer so much for a

moment, that the old man began to look a little serious, and then smiled, as his daughter told him that a poor young gentleman had lost his way. And yet the village is within a stone's throw of our dwelling, Caroline; he need not be afraid. You may feel fatigued, sir, pray sit down ;" and the stranger, looking the most grateful thanks to Caroline, and expressing them to her father, sat down.

It is something strange," said the father, "how you came to lose your route in so peopled a neighbourhood as this; the road to G -, even over the hills, is not very intricate." The stranger colored he had taken wrong directions; he was seldom used to find himself in such mistakes. He had explored half Europe on foot: and he now endeavored to become as animated and interesting in conversation, with the faint hope of prolonging his visit, as could be expected from a guest so strangely circumstanced as he was. "Did he propose to reach G that day?" inquired the father. His guest eagerly caught at this. "No;" he had of late travelled far, very far, and wished to rest for a few days in the first pleasant hamlet he could find. But his noble and ingenuous features refused to bear him out in the implied falsehood; he looked at Caroline, with a glowing countenance, and rose; the father, who had before eyed him suspiciously, rose also, and met his proffered hand.

66

"I cannot be an impostor,-no, I feel I cannot, for a moment.' Caroline," interrupted her father, "leave the room, my love."-" I confess to you, I met your daughter in my rambles, and, think of me as you will, I saw her I was struck with, and, from an unaccountable impulse, I followed her. But, believe me, I never appeared-I never spoke, till I saw her approaching her father's dwelling."

"You are a strange young man-very strange; but you are not one of those I fear,-no, you are a good young man, and I am glad to see you, and to bless you. I saw your motive in an instant; saw you could not sustain your part, and that you had chosen an ill way, I should say, a foolish part to sustain. But how came you, before that young girl, to think of touching on such a subject? she has scarcely yet completed her sixteenth year; all those who have lived around her-all who ever approached her, have been to her as fathers, as brothers, and as friends; and it has been her only pride

and pleasure to be as a sister, a friend, and a child, to all ages, and all classes, around the home she loves, and by all of whom she is loved-adored: she is yet a stranger to that fatal passion, which might absorb, consume, destroy, all the innocent pleasures and sweet charities of life,' that abound in her little world of brief existence now. It is our all, the sole treasure left us in this harsh world, in which I have long toiled. I have lost wives and children; she is the only one God has left me, and would you rob me of the last solace of my age? Oh, God! no, no, your conduct has shown you would not; you might have lurked like a traitor in the bosom of our home, but you have chosen the nobler path. Go on in your way rejoicing leave this place directly, and God will reward you-farewell!" The young man was visibly affected-he shed tears. are very good to me too good; but I cannot leave you—impossible! I cannot leave her so soon. Allow me to stay near you a little time; I will appear in her presence only before you-not even in thought will I injure her or you; let me enjoy your society, till I have obtained more fortitude to go." On one only condition, you may please yourself."

"I swear it you; what is that?"

"

man.

"You

You had better hear first, and swear afterwards, young

"Let me have it-I have said !"

It is, that you do not breathe a syllable of what you call love, to a young creature whose soul has hitherto been unruffled and at rest from all absorbing and fatal passions, equally infesting luxurious cities and uncultivated wilds, from all disappointments, vanity, and strife. Do this; conduct yourself as a brother and a friend, and I have not a fear for my Caroline: do this, and we shall consider ourselves happy in your society while you stay.'

You should have explained this, and have exacted my promise afterwards,” replied the young man. "I fear not."

“But I have promised, and I will endeavour to keep my promise. I would have no mystery-no suspicions, it is in my power to remove. I am the second son of Baron MI have retired from the army, in which I held a colonel's commission, in consequence of a quarrel with my superior L. 29. 1.

D

officer, and possess a small estate, for which I am in part dependent upon my father."

Enough-it is not in the least called for; I do not doubt your honor or your intentions. It remains for me to be equally explicit :-I am a merchant, and a Jew."

"A Jew!" exclaimed the young man.

66 Indeed, I am."

"And your daughter is a Jewess? how strange!-strange that I should thus have met her."

"And I hope you are now, also, readier to go."

"Not in the least; others might, but-" and the young traveller concluded by taking up his abode in the neighbourhood.

He again saw, and spoke to, and loved, and took all the pains in the world to avoid thinking so, or telling the beautiful Jewess that he loved her. He used to repeat the word as a sort of charm, and try to imagine the absurdity, the impossibility, of attaching himself to a Jewess; and in this belief he hung over her harp, he sucked in the poison of her words and looks; he followed her with his eyes-he praised her in his secret heart; and though he watched for blemishes, and tried to persuade himself of deficiencies, either in appearance or in manners, he left off by commending the exquisite sweetness and intelligence, no less than the graceful ease, the simplicity, and beauty of her nature.

In spite of the advice, and even anger, of her father, the few days had already grown into as many weeks, and though, in observance of his vow, he had not, indeed, breathed any of the bewitching syllables, not even the alphabet of love, to the sweet pupil he so longed to engage; there was a "language known and felt," beginning to assert its silent influence in gentle tones, and sighs, and looks, which evinced the deep interest they took in each other's feelings, and the sympathy that existed in all their tastes and pursuits. Thus the admiration arising out of youth and beauty soon ripened into esteem-into love; a love striking its root deeply into the hearts of both, as they became more intimately acquainted with each other's virtues. They plighted their mutual faith; and their attachment continued pure and unalloyed until the death of Baron M, the young man's father, when, with noble-minded truth and generosity, though in possession of a