remain ignorant of what is passing in your mind-I have marked, with anxious alarm, the work of destruction that is going on. Yes, Reine, the fascinations of the graceful Monthermer are undermining your peace, are luring you on to wretchedness-you are the destined bride of another, and I know your nature too well to believe, for a moment, that you will endure the bondage of an union with Constantine Marmaratouri, whilst every affection of your heart is fixed on that fatal Monthermer."

Reine sighed deeply. Why should I attempt to deny the charge you have brought against me, dearest Coraï. No, no, I will not,-but, oh! think not I am so weak that I shrink from the performance of my duty. I feel. no repugnance at the certainty that fate has devoted me to Marmaratouri; I have ever considered this with composure, sometimes

even with satisfaction; the virtues of my betrothed husband dwell on every lip; all who know him respect and honour him; can I, then, in such an union, be unhappy? Duty will bind me to him, and I shall, in time, learn to love him.. I dare not hope to find him endowed with the captivating manners, the matchless graces, the exalted sentiments. of our English guest. To forget himthat would be impossible !-But while his image haunts my memory, and his animated conversation is present for ever to my mind, I shall think of him as I should do of some immortal spirit, who had deigned to sojourn for a time on the same earth with me. I have never regarded him in the light of other men; he has appeared to me as a being from a purer world-a world where they have never known sin, only sorrow -if they can be separated. He will re

turn to his country; and, among the beautiful daughters of his own nation, will find a bride worthy of his love."

Oh, that he had never quitted that country!" Coraï exclaimed, with earnest emotion; but she was suddenly interrupted whilst speaking; a voice was heard amidst the groves of the gardena voice more melodious to the ear of Reine Canziani than the sweetest music.

Fly, Reine," cried Coraï; but Reine remained rivetted to the spot, spellbound by the voice of Monthermer, who, though hidden from their sight, was heard to sing, in a strain the most.. impassioned, the following stanzas—

And was the tear, that gemm'd thine eye,

So brightly, shed for me,

Or didst thou breathe that balmy sigh,

For one more dear to thee?

No, they are mine! the breeze of night
Hath borne them on her wing,

They cheered me like some blessed light
Death's chill couch hallowing,

And when I fly to distant isles,

And Fate's last star shall set,
Think not thy radiant tears, thy smiles,
I ever can forget.

Still o'er me shall thy form seem bent,
Thy tresses loosely hung,

As o'er some marble monument
A pale white rose is flung.

But I am doom'd to wander far,

From all that might have blest;

From thee, the last, the lonely star,
Illumining my rest.

Mark yon dark cloud that veils the moon,

And half obscures her ray,

It parts in viewless mists, and soon

Its shadow clears away.

And I am like that transient shade,
That dims the night's pale queen,
Soon from thy mind my form shall fade,
And leave thee all serene.

"Lead me away, oh! Coraï," said Reine, "lead me whither thou wilt. Oh! that I had never heard the fatal melody of that voice! Why did I linger where

his enchantments are spread aroundrestore me, if, indeed, it yet may be, to reason and to duty.”

Alas! thought Coraï, moved irresistibly by the sentiment of profound despondency Monthermer had expressed in his song-Alas! that he should be so noble, so eloquent, and yet so unhappy! But Coraï felt that this was no place for her friend, and she willingly complied with her request.

In the solitude of her own chamber Reine hid herself from every eye. She passed a sleepless night; Monthermer haunted her imagination, and she heard again his impassioned tones and words; then she thought of Constantine Marmaratouri, of her plighted troth, the vows of her childhood, and she shuddered at the brink on which she stood. She rose from her couch languid and spiritless;