strayed with Reine into the small Doric temple already mentioned. The splendour of departing day played with mellowed light upon the simple cornice, and illuminated the slight pilasters with the loveliest topaz hues. The long flexible branches of the vine, stirred by the breath of evening, fluttered in the rich glow of sunshine, and their transparent leaves were lighted up with the delicate brilliance of the emerald, whilst their full and pensile clusters of fruit, yet green in infancy, reposed against the silent and softened white of the marble roof. The exquisite odour of the hyacinth, and the narcissus orientalis, com bined with the overpowering scent of the tuberoses, growing on the banks of the streamlet, and the many perfumes of the garden groves, from the delicate jessamine to the luscious rose of Damascus, came like a steam of nature's richest

incense on the air. Every thing conspired to awaken the soul to the softest emotions, and to a vivid perception of all that is beautiful.

Reine was awed into silence by the intensity of her own feelings; she durst not look at Monthermer, whose gaze was rivetted on her. All at once there was a thrilling vibration in the air-the sound of distant music, and it came so faint, so intellectual, that it fell on the ear like odour on the senses. Monthermer raised his eyes, and stood in the attitude of listening; and then she, clinging to one of the marble pillars, worshipped him with her silent and timid gaze. His rich clustering locks were tinged with the sunset light as with a halo of gold; his parted lips glowed with inspiration; and, in his large uplifted eyes, the full glories of the sky shone reflected. He gazed on

the fast descending orb of the sun, just about to plunge his red forehead beneath the horizon. A nightingale, hidden in a neighbouring grove, started into melodious voice.

Monthermer,

Hark," cried

Nature, with all her numerous offspring, pour their farewell hymn to their God! Reine-my life— my love, ere he departs, let him witness the solemnization of our long plighted vows. Here in the sight of heavenin the presence of the God of the universe, the ancient worship of the great of old, I make thee mine-eternallyindissolubly mine. Spirits of earthspirits of air," he exclaimed, and he clasped her trembling hand in his, "witness our marriage rite!-by every sentiment held pure on earth, or in heaven, I call on ye to sanction and to register our union." And he pressed a burning kiss on lips pale and cold as

marble, yet overpowered more with the thrill of happiness than by any other emotion. "Be consecrated henceforth to our mutual affection," cried Monthermer, with outspread arms, which seemed as they would embrace the inanimate portico, his voice addressed, “I dedicate thee to a love more pure than ever was breathed on the altar of superstition."

CHAPTER XVI.

With thee conversing, I forget all time;

All seasons, and their change, all please alike.

These violent delights have violent ends,

MILTON.

And in their triumph die; like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss, consume.

ROMEO ANd Juliet.

THE enchantment of her life was al

most too ecstatic for the delicate construction of Reine's mind. "It cannot

be reality," she would hourly exclaim ;

can this indeed be Athens ?-and am I here, standing by thy side, oh, Monthermer; and am I thine, and art thou mine, for ever ?"

Ye, whom the dart of affliction hath never stung-who have beheld but in fictitious narrative the rugged brow of adversity-turn not in scorn and indig